Road to Reauthorization

Surface transportation reauthorization sets federal policy and funding for highways, transit, rail, safety, and related programs for the next five years. This page tracks how the legislation is taking shape in Eno Transportation Weekly — bill text, committee action, the Highway Trust Fund, program structure, and the policy questions that will shape the final bill.

Eno’s ongoing coverage of surface transportation reauthorization in the 119th Congress.

Surface transportation reauthorization addresses many things:

  • Federal highway program structure, formula apportionments, and funding levels
  • Federal transit program structure and funding
  • Highway Trust Fund revenues, long-term solvency, bailouts, and the future of Advance Appropriations
  • Safety priorities for roads, rail, motor carriers, and AVs
  • Freight policy, multimodal programs, rail funding, and discretionary grants
  • Permitting, procurement, and project delivery provisions
  • Research, technology, and workforce programs

Each of these areas will face new goals, reforms, and tradeoffs in reauthorization and Eno will be helping you follow along.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released text of a proposed five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill on May 17, in anticipation of a markup session scheduled for May 21. The bipartisan Graves-Larsen BUILD America 250 bill totals $474 billion. ETW staff have published initial analysis of the bill’s highway title and overall structure, with additional coverage to follow as markup proceeds.

Last updated: 5/19/2026

MAY 19, 2026: RAPID-RESPONSE WEBINAR

In this rapid response webinar for ETW subscribers, Jeff Davis and Rebecca Higgins break down the funding level and bill text and will answer questions from participants.

Speakers:
Jeff Davis, Senior Fellow and Editor, Eno Center for Transportation
Rebecca Higgins, Vice President of Policy, Eno Center for Transportation

About ETW

Eno Transportation Weekly is the flagship publication of the Eno Center for Transportation, an independent, nonpartisan think tank. Since 1921, Eno has worked to improve transportation policy through research, analysis, and leadership development. ETW is written by Eno’s policy staff and read by professionals across the transportation field — in Congress, federal and state agencies, industry, academia, and advocacy.

ETW does not represent the views of any party, administration, or stakeholder interest. Its analysis is independent.

Interested in federal budget coverage?

Check our our resource page on all things related to the 2027 budget process.

Eno Transportation Weekly Coverage

Locks indicate subscriber-only content

FY27 Budget Lacking Surface Transportation Reauthorization Proposal

Apr 10, 2026 | Jeff Davis
The FY 2027 budget request is missing any details of surface transportation reauthorization, and this makes the budget difficult to...

Surface Reauthorization: What Is the “Baseline” Spending Level for a New Bill?

Mar 20, 2026 | Jeff Davis
March 20, 2026 - As Congress prepares to reauthorize surface transportation spending and policies in a multi-year bill, it’s worth...

House Energy and Commerce Releases Vehicle Safety Reauthorization Legislation

Jan 16, 2026 | Jeff Davis
January 13, 2026 - A House Energy and Commerce hearing previewed a broad vehicle safety agenda for reauthorization, centered on...

Where Things Stand

Reauthorization Expected Timeline

  • May 17, 2026

    1

    Graves and Larsen Release $474 Billion Surface Transportation Bill

  • May 21, 2026

    2

    Markup Scheduled

  • September 30, 2026

    3

    Current surface reauthorization set to expire

Follow reauthorization week by week in ETW

Eno Transportation Weekly provides subscribers with in-depth, nonpartisan analysis of federal surface transportation policy. Published every week, read by congressional staff, agency leadership, state DOTs, industry, and the policy community.