Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) wrote a letter to Congressional leaders to urge the repeal of a current provision in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act that would rescind $7.6 billion – including $50 million for Nevada – from critical infrastructure funding. The provision threatens the needed certainty and planning for current and future Nevada roadway investments such as Interstate 11.
“At a time when our infrastructure needs are growing and Congress has failed to pass a comprehensive infrastructure bill, rescinding these funds would negatively impact every state in the nation, putting our economy at risk,” the senators wrote. “While every state would be affected, Nevada is always at significant peril if infrastructure funding is reduced because our population continues to grow faster than any other state. Funds are crucial because not only do we have to repair and maintain our existing roads, bridges, and transit operations, the state must also continue to build new infrastructure to keep up with the needs of incoming residents, including accounting for the vital future Interstate 11.”
A full copy of the letter can be found HERE and below:
Dear Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy:
We are writing to request that you prioritize protecting over $7.6 billion in infrastructure funding as Congress considers appropriations before the end of the fiscal year.
Under Section 1438 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act; P.L. 114-94), a rescission of $7.6 billion was included to decrease the budgetary baseline for highway programs beginning on July 1, 2020. At a time when our infrastructure needs are growing and Congress has failed to pass a comprehensive infrastructure bill, rescinding these funds would negatively impact every state in the nation, putting our economy at risk.
While every state would be affected, Nevada is always at significant peril if infrastructure funding is reduced because our population continues to grow faster than any other state. Funds are crucial because not only do we have to repair and maintain our existing roads, bridges, and transit operations, the state must also continue to build new infrastructure to keep up with the needs of incoming residents, including accounting for the vital future Interstate 11.
If this rescission is not repealed, Nevada is estimated to lose over $50 million dollars in funding. These are funds that could expand roads in our rapidly growing urban centers, help ensure our remote and distant rural communities are connected, or help us prepare and account for larger investments like Interstate 11. Without these funds, our state’s ability to plan and complete this significant project for our economy and future may be delayed.
Every dollar of federal support for transportation investments is vital to Nevada. Congress must act to ensure that this rescission language is repealed in any appropriate legislative vehicle, including any potential continuing resolution that is considered during the appropriations process. A failure to address this issue would undermine our communities, costing jobs, economic growth, and prosperity at a time when our state needs it most.
We appreciate your time and attention on this matter.
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