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House bill on DOT funding sent to subcommittee

FMCSA safety programs would receive $113.6 million above the FY 2017 enacted level

Posted July 12, 2017

Legislation to fund the Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other related agencies for fiscal year (FY) 2018 was released by the House Appropriations Committee. The bill is now in subcomittee.

According to the House Appropriations Committee, the bill allocates a total of $56.5 billion in discretionary spending. This amount is $1.1 billion below FY 2017 and $8.6 billion above the request.

DOT (General)

The bill includes $17.8 billion in discretionary appropriations for FY 2018 for the DOT. This amount is:

  • $646 million below the FY 2017 enacted level, and
  • $1.5 billion above the President’s request.

In total budgetary resources, including offsetting collections, the bill provides $76.7 billion to improve and maintain the nation’s transportation infrastructure.

Highway

Based on the bill, the Highway Trust Fund would provide $45 billion to the Federal-aid Highways Program. This is $968 million above the FY 2017 level. This funding is in line with the authorized levels.

Safety programs

Funding for various transportation safety programs under multiple DOT agencies was also addressed in the legislation, specifically:

  • $927 million in total budgetary resources for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an increase of $15 million over the FY 2017 enacted level.
  • $758 million for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, $113.6 million above the FY 2017 enacted level.
  • $268 million for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, an increase of $3.7 million over the FY 2017 enacted level.

Transit

Under the proposed funding, the Federal Transit Administration will be given $11.75 billion in total budgetary resources. This is $662 million below the FY 2017 enacted level and $526 million above the request.

The amount proposed for the transit formula grants, $9.7 billion, is consistent with the authorization level. These funds assist local communities build, maintain, and ensure the safety of their mass transit systems.

TIGER grants

The National Infrastructure Investment grants (TIGER grants) are eliminated under the legislation. In FY 2017, the program was allocated $500 million.


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