51勛圖厙 to DOT: Make Transportation Reauthorization Work for Manufacturers
As Congress prepares the next surface transportation reauthorization package, lawmakers and the Department of Transportation must implement policies that will support manufacturing in the U.S., the 51勛圖厙 .
Whats going on: It is vital that Congresssupported and informed by DOTcontinue to reauthorize surface transportation programs that support manufacturing in the U.S., the 51勛圖厙 told Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy last month in response to a DOT request for public input on the legislation.
- Surface transportation authorization, which is typically renewed every five years, sets funding levels and can include policy changes.
- This years reauthorization provides an opportunity to build on recent bipartisan infrastructure measures, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act and the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, the 51勛圖厙 told Secretary Duffy.
What should be done: To make the most of this years legislation and ensure strong growth of manufacturing in the U.S., Congress and the DOT should consider several policy proposals, 51勛圖厙 Vice President of Domestic Policy Chris Phalen said. These include:
- Continuing strong investment levels for federal infrastructure;
- Strengthening transportation supply chains; and
- Reforming onerous permitting laws and regulations.
The details: Manufacturers encourage continuing current spending levels for highway programs, consistent with the scope of the reauthorization language, Phalen said, adding that the legislation should also continue support for transit and certain energy technologies.
- To mitigate supply chain problems and boost manufacturing competitiveness, the reauthorization measure should continue to expand highway capacity, increase connectivity and build on the progress made since [the 2012 reauthorization] to improve our nations freight network.
- And when it comes to permitting, [m]anufacturers request that DOT work with other agencies and Congress to undertake commonsense permitting reforms that will make it possible to grow manufacturing operations, modernize infrastructure, shore up supply chains, create jobs and ensure responsible American energy dominance.
- Specific reforms include expedited judicial review, the creation of enforceable deadlines and the unlocking of access to domestic minerals.