Input Stories

Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is keeping manufacturers’ priorities in mind as he works on the next surface transportation bill. The NAM spoke to Chairman Graves about his legislative priorities in a recent Q&A.

His agenda: “As chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I’m working to make sure we have an efficient, safe and reliable infrastructure that supports and facilitates the growth of manufacturing in the United States,” said Chairman Graves. “The next surface transportation reauthorization bill will focus on hard infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.”

• “Another main priority of mine is fixing the Highway Trust Fund, which serves as the main funding source at the federal level for road and bridge projects. We must address the solvency challenges facing the Highway Trust Fund and preserve our user-pays system,” he added.
• “Additionally, this bill is about looking forward and building an infrastructure for the future. Anticipating the transportation and infrastructure needs of the next 20 years is the best way to support economic growth and help our manufacturers as their industry continues to evolve.”

The urgency: “Traditionally, [the surface transportation reauthorization bill] provides tens of billions of dollars in annual funding to improve American highways, bridges, transit and other surface transportation infrastructure. It also provides funding for rail, trucking safety and other transportation programs,” Chairman Graves explained.

• “Surface transportation bills typically expire after five years. That multiyear time frame gives states the long-term funding certainty they need to plan and carry out many of their most critical projects.”
• “The current highway bill, which was part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, expires on Sept. 30, 2026. Unless Congress acts before then, federal programs will be impacted, including that long-term certainty,” he warned.

Why the NAM matters: “When it comes to getting an infrastructure bill of this size done, we need to hear from all industries, especially our manufacturers,” said Chairman Graves.

• “Whether it’s in the early stages of crafting the bill when we’re looking for feedback on existing policy and asking for priorities from the manufacturing industry—and we appreciate the NAM’s efforts in that process—or after the bill has been introduced and is working its way through the legislative process, organizations like the NAM have an important role in getting information out there about what the bill does and how it will benefit the country.”

Go deeper: You can read the full Q&A here.

ICYMI: As part of its national infrastructure campaign, “Building to Win,” the NAM is engaging directly with key lawmakers on manufacturers’ infrastructure priorities. The campaign, launched in February, features a policy roadmap outlining pillars for robust surface transportation reauthorization in addition to NAM original analysis on the economic costs of congestion on manufacturers and an ad.