Highways and Transit

The Subcommittee on Highways and Transit has responsibility for the development of national surface transportation policy, including policies related to the construction and improvement of highway and transit facilities, of safety and research programs, and regulation of commercial motor vehicle operations. Within this scope of responsibilities, the Subcommittee has jurisdiction over many U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) programs and modal administrations.

A modern surface transportation system is critical to ensuring the safe, efficient flow of people and commerce, which is a fundamental federal responsibility. The foremost legislative product of the Subcommittee is the reauthorization of the federal surface transportation programs. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act —the latest reauthorization of these programs—was enacted on December 4, 2015, and was the first long-term, multi-year surface transportation reauthorization law in over a decade.  The FAST Act reauthorizes federal surface transportation programs through fiscal year 2020, refocuses programs on addressing national priorities, provides more flexibility and certainty for states and local governments, accelerates project delivery, and promotes innovation.

Issues and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee include:

• Highway and transit programs, including planning and project development
• Transportation credit assistance programs
• Highway and transit safety
• Commercial motor vehicle regulation 
• Surface transportation research
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau, known as the Build America Bureau
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R)