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

Click Here for the Build America 250 Full Funding Tables

Version 2.0 of our summary tables

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.

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Key Reauthorization Documents

BUILD America Act text (Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute)

Interested in federal budget coverage?

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

Go to Budget Resource Page

Eno Transportation Weekly Coverage

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CBO Releases Full Cost Estimate of House Surface Bill

Oct 2, 2026 | Jeff Davis
The nonpartisan scorekeeping body has completed its full cost estimate for the House bill.

House Curtailing September Schedule, Likely Killing Chance of Enacting Surface Reauthorization This Year

Sep 4, 2026 | Jeff Davis
This week, House Republican leaders decided to cut the scheduled pre-election session short, sending members home to campaign two weeks...

Congress Returns, Hoping to Avert Government Shutdown – But No Sign of Surface Bill

Aug 28, 2026 | Jeff Davis
The House is back and in a hurry to pass the continuing appropriations measure, but there is still no sign...
end road work sign

Rumblings of Discontent on “Baseline” Extension of Surface Programs

Aug 28, 2026 | Rebecca Higgins
Agencies face potential for significant reductions in federal funding as a result of a surface transportation extension that discontinues the...

Where Things Stand

Reauthorization Expected Timeline

  • May 17, 2026

    1

    Graves and Larsen Release $474 Billion Surface Transportation Bill

    Read More

  • 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.

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