September 3, 2026

By Lane Kimble

Reauthorization of the five-year surface transportation spending plan will need to wait at least until winter.

The House on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a continuing resolution to fund the federal government at existing levels through Dec. 11. President Donald Trump signed the extension into law Wednesday

The 370-48 bipartisan vote approved the funding extension the Senate easily passed Aug. 8. All Wisconsin Representatives and both Senators voted in favor of the bill, helping avoid a government shutdown as the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

While the continuing resolution largely funds core transportation programs at existing levels, the measure cuts $9.5 billion in highway and bridge investments and about $4 billion in public transportation spending, according to ARTBA. This could lead to significant budget challenges on the state level if lawmakers choose to carry those cuts through the entire fiscal year.

The so-called Problem Solvers Caucus this week sent a letter urging lawmakers to restore that funding or risk projects being delayed or deferred.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) said approving the continuing resolution this week was important to simply keep the government funded, but he remains committed to passing a new five-year surface transportation bill as soon as possible.

The House T&I Committee passed its version of a five-year spending plan in May but the Senate has yet to release text on its own bill.

“I look forward to moving this bill through the legislative process and working with the Senate to complete a long-term bill that invests in America’s roads, bridges, and other surface infrastructure, cuts red tape in the project process, and ensures that states have the certainty and flexibility to carry out the projects most critical to them,” Graves said in a statement.