The $1.7 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 — which advances through the Senate followed by the U.S. House of Representatives allocated a massive $106.3 billion to the Department of Transportation and its agencies. It is around $3.4 billion more than the agency received the previous year and approximately $1.9 billion more than what the White House requested. It is aimed at supporting national infrastructure improvements via grants to states, municipalities, Tribal authorities and metropolitan planning organizations. Moreover, the bill also includes around $800 million for national infrastructure investment grants.
“We have a big bill here, because we have big needs for our country,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who thanked House Appropriations Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Senate Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) and Senate Vice Chair Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) for their bipartisan support. President Joe Biden praised the measure and vowed to sign the legislation as soon as it reaches his desk.
He added “This bill is good for our economy, our competitiveness, and our communities. This bill is further proof that Republicans and Democrats can come together to deliver for the American people, and I’m looking forward to continued bipartisan progress in the year ahead.”
