Reps. García, Pressley, and Takano Urge Biden Administration to Safeguard Key Transportation and Infrastructure Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Mark Takano (CA-39), Co-Chairs of the Future of Transportation Caucus (FOTC), sent a letter to President Biden outlining actions his administration can take now to safeguard the investments and policies secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

In the letter, the Members underscore the importance of taking actions over the next few weeks, including:

• Prioritizing the use of flex funding for transit projects
• Changing the risk assessment threshold for the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants Program to 50 percent
• Obligating Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act Funds

“Building an equitable transportation system starts with centering communities who have suffered from disinvestment and neglect,” said Congressman García. “The actions proposed in this letter will help increase mobility options for working class people, reduce pollution in communities that have borne the brunt of past discriminatory practices, and address the urgent threat posed by climate change. I urge President Biden to act now to make it difficult for the incoming Trump administration to reverse the progress made in the BIL and IRA.”

“With days remaining in his presidency and an incoming administration poised to undermine the historic progress Democrats have made in advancing transportation and climate justice, we’re calling on President Biden to move with urgency,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “That means acting swiftly to protect the investments passed under the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and ensure these impactful policies are implemented without delay or obstruction. I’m grateful to my FOTC colleagues Reps. García and Takano for their ongoing partnership in making our transit systems more equitable and sustainable.”

"The Biden-Harris Administration spearheaded a once-in-a-generation effort to upgrade and improve our nation’s infrastructure. However, more can be done to cement the impact of the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act before the end of the term,” said Congressman Takano. I am grateful for the partnership of my Future of Transportation Caucus colleagues in urging President Biden to take three actions to prevent the incoming administration from reversing the important progress that has been made."

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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