Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) today voted for and the House passed H.R. 22, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The bill funds improvements to America’s surface transportation infrastructure including roads, bridges, transit systems, and rail transportation network. The bill includes a number of reforms to refocus funding on national priorities, provide certainty and flexibility for states and local governments, streamline approval processes, while maintaining a strong commitment to safety.
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the U.S. transportation network has a cumulative grade of “D+.”
The final legislation also includes Congressman Barr’s H.R. 1259, the Helping Expand Lending Practices (HELP) in Rural Communities Act.
“While more needs to be done to address America’s infrastructure crisis and ensure our global competitiveness, I voted for the FAST Act because it provides much needed certainty and stability in our transportation investments for the next several years while implementing important reforms,” said Congressman Barr. “The FAST Act not only provides funding for safer and more efficient roads, bridges, and railways, it also cuts through the bureaucratic red tape that is holding these projects back. Better infrastructure will boost our economy through improved interstate commerce, and will help keep us safe while traveling.”
“I’m also pleased that this legislation contains my bill to help rural communities contest lending restrictions intended for urban areas. The HELP in Rural Communities Act has passed the House twice with overwhelming bipartisan support and is now likely to become law.”