Explore the bills and legislation Ports-to-Plains is actively involved with, including next steps and priorities.
Ports to Plains Alliance 117th Congress
View ReportH.R. 1608 Introduced
View ReportS. 705 Introduced
View ReportNext Steps
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1Include the language from H.R. 1608 in the transportation reauthorization or infrastructure legislation being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
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2Work with members of Congress to obtain project funding for projects eligible for Member Designated Projects
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3Include the language from S. 705 in the transportation reauthorization or infrastructure legislation being considered by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works or the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
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4Work with Senators to obtain project funding for projects eligible for Member Designated Projects
Federal Policy Priorities
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A multi-year reauthorization bill -
A substantial increase in investment in the national transportation network;
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A long-term, sustainable fix for the Highway Trust Fund;
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Continued project delivery reforms to reduce the times for approvals and permitting; and
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Addressing disparities in rural transportation infrastructure to significantly improve safety and economic competitiveness in all parts of the country.
Recommendation to Congress
- Increase and prioritize investment in the National Highway System
- Emphasize Connectivity
- Restore Federal Leadership
In developing transportation policies and priorities, Congress must also recognize that what works in urban America does not always work in rural America, and vice versa. Federal policies and decision-making should take that into account by not adopting one-size-fits-all policies that limit flexibility. For example—
- Public-private partnerships.
- Overemphasis on traffic counts and freight volume.
- “Fix it first” investments.
- Expanding local control over transportation decision-making.
In developing transportation policies and priorities, Congress must also recognize that what works in urban America does not always work in rural America, and vice versa. Federal policies and decision-making should take that into account by not adopting one-size-fits-all policies that limit flexibility. For example—The Ports-to-Plains Alliance 2021 Policy Priorities paper provides more details on these priorities and a description of the benefits from the priorities.