On May 17, 2026, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced the BUILD America 250 Act – Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act. It is the Committee’s bipartisan, five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that invests in America’s roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs. Fundamentally, the bill emphasizes moving people, goods, and freight safely and efficiently across the country.
The legislation outlines approximately $580 billion in federal infrastructure funding over five years (FY 2027–FY 2031). It is designed to replace the expiring Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which sunsets on September 30, 2026. Approximately $474.4 is guaranteed via Highway Trust Fund (HTF) contract authority, while the remaining $106 billion is subject to annual congressional appropriations.
The BUILD America 250 Act provides the largest ever investment in America’s bridges, focuses on proven surface transportation infrastructure programs, cuts red tape in the infrastructure project process, allows states the flexibility to prioritize their most critical needs, encourages innovation, provides the first ever autonomous commercial motor vehicle framework, reforms passenger rail programs, and improves rail safety.
The bill also strengthens the Highway Trust Fund by ensuring all highway users pay their share for the use and improvement of the nation’s roads. As a result, the BUILD America 250 Act injects the Highway Trust Fund with its first new stream of revenue for infrastructure in over three decades.
Following the announcement, NAM Executive Vice President Erin Streeter released this statement:
“Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen understand the importance of modern, reliable infrastructure to strengthening manufacturing in the United States, creating more jobs and keeping our country globally competitive. The highway bill released today reflects the needs of America’s manufacturers, including tremendous progress toward comprehensive permitting reform, and our industry looks forward to working with the committee to quickly advance this vital legislation.
“Highway congestion and port delays alone are costing manufacturers nearly $40 billion annually and freight delays account for 65 million hours of lost efficiency each year. By passing a robust surface transportation reauthorization bill and bipartisan, comprehensive permitting reform this year, Congress can take a major step forward to reduce congestion, improve reliability, and empower manufacturers to make and move products that reach millions worldwide—supporting communities here at home.”
Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio, issued the following statement after the House unveiled updated housing legislation this afternoon:
“Today, House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill and Ranking Member Maxine Waters unveiled updated text to the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. NAHB continues to support the legislation and urges the House to pass this landmark bill. This broad housing package will help protect homeownership, improve affordability and expand the supply of attainable housing the nation urgently needs.”
More Information:
May 17, 2026: Graves & Larsen Announce Deal on Bipartisan, Five-Year Surface Transportation Reauthorization – the BUILD America 250 Act
Committee Activity:
January 15, 2025: America Builds: The State of the Nation’s Transportation System
January 22, 2025: America Builds: Highways to Move People and Freight
January 23, 2025: America Builds: Examining America’s Freight and Passenger Rail Network
February 12, 2025: America Builds: A Review of Programs to Address Roadway Safety
March 26, 2025: America Builds: How Trucking Supports American Communities
April 9, 2025: America Builds: A Review of Our Nation’s Transit Policies and Programs
April 29, 2025: America Builds: The Need for a Long-Term Solution for the Highway Trust Fund
May 6, 2025: America Builds: Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Rail Assistance
Additional Resources:
Chairman Graves in the Washington Times: “End Permitting Purgatory”
Chairman Graves in Washington Times: Let’s build America’s critical surface transportation infrastructure