Policy and Legal

The NAM recently interviewed Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, about the surface transportation reauthorization bill and the importance of infrastructure to manufacturers nationwide. Here is the full text.

What are your priorities in the upcoming infrastructure bill to help drive manufacturing growth in the United States?

“Manufacturing, like every other aspect of our economy, depends on a strong transportation system and infrastructure. President Trump has prioritized bringing manufacturing back to the United States, and he’s already seen significant success. 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. The best way to do that is by passing a bill that focuses on building the infrastructure needed to move goods and people safely and efficiently. 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. Right now, that system is broken, and it has been for some time. The best way to provide long-term certainty is to finally begin shoring up the Highway Trust Fund and ensuring that all users are paying into the system.

“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.”

Why is it important that Congress pass a surface transportation reauthorization bill this year?

“The surface transportation reauthorization bill impacts all Americans—we all use or rely on roads, bridges and rails. Traditionally, this legislation 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.

“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. This is unacceptable, and I’m committed to getting the next surface bill done on time and preventing potential project delays and uncertainty that can result from a lapse in long-term funding.”

How does investing in infrastructure benefit the people and manufacturers in your state/district?

“I represent all of North Missouri. Investing in our roads has never been more important for the future of our communities, large and small. For manufacturers to succeed, as well as to attract new companies, we’ve got to have good infrastructure. It’s critical for shipping Missouri-made products across the country, for receiving inputs and for farmers getting goods to market. As we work to bring manufacturing back to the United States, my district and many others see an opportunity to grow their local economy. To make that happen, we have to maintain and improve our infrastructure across the country.”

Why is the NAM’s leadership on this issue so critical to getting an infrastructure bill done this year?

“The NAM has over 14,000 members from every sector of manufacturing. The United States depends on a strong manufacturing industry, and the NAM provides a voice for our manufacturers, large and small. They are truly at the center of manufacturing in this country. So, when it comes to getting an infrastructure bill of this size done, we need to hear from all industries, especially our manufacturers. 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.”