Input Stories

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) released a surface transportation reauthorization bill Sunday evening that answers manufacturers’ urgent calls for funding certainty and support for America’s roads, bridges, rail systems and more.

NAM responds: The NAM voiced support for the bill, which was formally introduced today, with Executive Vice President Erin Streeter saying, “The highway bill released today reflects the needs of America’s manufacturers, including tremendous progress toward comprehensive permitting reform, and our industry looks forward to working with the committee to quickly advance this vital legislation.”

• “Highway congestion and port delays alone are costing manufacturers nearly $40 billion annually, and freight delays account for 65 million hours of lost efficiency each year.”
• “By passing a robust surface transportation reauthorization bill and bipartisan, comprehensive permitting reform this year, Congress can take a major step forward to reduce congestion, improve reliability and empower manufacturers to make and move products that reach millions worldwide—supporting communities here at home.”

A message to policymakers: The NAM followed up its statement of support with a message to all members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, commending the bill for including many crucial provisions extending and funding federal infrastructure programs. The NAM asked committee members to vote yes on the bill in markup and advance this critical long-term surface transportation reauthorization to the House floor so that people and goods can keep moving safely and efficiently across the country.

• “The BUILD America 250 Act makes an important down payment on America’s long-term economic competitiveness through robust investment in core infrastructure, freight mobility, safety and supply chain reliability,” the NAM said.
• “It also represents tremendous progress toward comprehensive permitting reform. Manufacturers particularly appreciate the bill’s strong emphasis on formula-based highway and bridge investment, multimodal freight connectivity and long-term funding certainty.”

NAM advocacy: The NAM’s advocacy push helped keep this issue at the top of policymakers’ agenda.

• In February, the NAM launched “Building to Win,” a national campaign urging Congress to pass robust infrastructure investments and reauthorize critical federal highway programs.
• In April, the NAM called on Congress to make the next surface transportation reauthorization a robust $600 billion investment.
• The NAM has kept up the drumbeat in numerous media appearances and events, advocating long-term, robust infrastructure solutions and permitting reforms that will pave the road to manufacturing growth (sometimes literally).

Why it matters: As the NAM’s policy roadmap showed:

• Highway congestion costs manufacturers more than $25 billion annually and results in over 65 million hours of delays in freight carrying finished goods and critical inputs each year;
• The nation’s 25 worst freight bottlenecks cause more than 2 million hours of annual delays for manufacturers; and
• The NAM estimates that congestion at container and bulk ports cost manufacturers more than $13 billion annually in carrying costs and demurrage charges.

NAM in the news: The Daily Caller highlighted the NAM’s endorsement of the bill.

What’s next: The committee will mark up the bill on Thursday before it heads to the full House for a vote.