September 12, 2019
The Honorable Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader, United States Senate
The Honorable Charles E. Schumer, Minority Leader, United States Senate
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, United States House of Representatives
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, United States House of Representatives
Subject: Repealing Highway Contract Authority Rescission in FY 2020 CR
Dear Congressional Leaders:
As Congress continues to work on Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations, if a Continuing Resolution (CR) is necessary for a period of time in order to complete this appropriations process, we urge you to include in any such CR a repeal of the rescission of $7.6 billion in Federal-aid highway contract authority scheduled to occur in July of next year.
Section 1438 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act; P.L. 114-94) rescinds $7.6 billion in unobligated Federal-aid highway contract authority on July 1, 2020. All 50 states and the District of Columbia will be hurt by the rescission, including close transportation partners of these states. If allowed to take place, this provision will virtually wipe out all remaining contract authority available to states nationwide in the core highway formula programs subject to the rescission. In addition, the rescission will significantly depress the 10-year budget baseline for surface transportation programs beginning in Fiscal Year 2021, undermining significant bipartisan support in Congress and the Administration for boosting federal infrastructure investment.
While we are disappointed that the repeal of this rescission was not included as part of the recent two-year budget agreement, it is still very important that Congress repeals the impending rescission this month in order to provide stability to federal surface transportation programs. Rescinding highway contract authority impedes the ability of states to meet their individual infrastructure needs and disrupts transportation planning and timely delivery of projects. The planned rescission next summer is already starting to impact project construction, which will delay mobility, quality of life, and economic benefits provided by these projects if unaddressed soon.
The undersigned associations and organizations, representing a diverse group of national associations that support investment in our nation’s transportation infrastructure, respectfully request the repeal of $7.6 billion rescission of contract authority as part of any CR considered by Congress this fiscal year.
Sincerely, Forty-one Transportation Associations and Groups
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials American Automobile Association
American Concrete Pipe Association
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Highway Users Alliance
American Iron and Steel Institute
American Public Transportation Association
American Public Works Association
American Road and Transportation Builders Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Traffic Safety Services Association
American Trucking Associations
Associated Equipment Distributors
Associated General Contractors of America
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
Coalition of Northeastern Governors
Governors Highway Safety Association
Institute of Transportation Engineers
Intelligent Transportation Society of America
International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association
International Slurry Surfacing Association
Laborers International Union of North America
League of American Bicyclists
National Asphalt Pavement Association
National Association of Counties
National Association of County Engineers
National Association of Regional Councils
National Conference of State Legislatures
National Governors Association
National League of Cities
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
National Steel Bridge
Alliance National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association
National Utility Contractors Association
Portland Cement Association
United Brotherhood of Carpenters
United States Chamber of Commerce
United States Conference of Mayors
