Statement of Anne Canby, Director, OneRail Coalition
On passage by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act (STRA)
June 2, 2021
OneRail welcomes the bipartisan action by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee to advance the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act and applauds the EPW Committee, including Chairman Tom Carper, Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito, Subcommittee Chairman Ben Cardin and Subcommittee Ranking Member Kevin Cramer, for their efforts.
The bill improves multimodal investment opportunities by raising the multimodal cap in grant and formula freight programs. It maintains and improves portions of the Section 130 rail-highway grade crossing program. The new programs within the climate title are also a welcome step forward. OneRail looks forward to working with the Committee to build on their efforts to include eligibility for multimodal investments in the proposed climate and rural programs.
As other Senate Committees draft additional titles of the infrastructure package, OneRail urges robust authorization levels that provide parity for rail and transit programs, predictable, long-term funding for passenger rail, and restoration of the user fee model for the Highway Trust Fund. OneRail also urges Congress to reject efforts to change federal truck size or weight caps.
More information on OneRail’s policy proposal can be found here.
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About OneRail
OneRail is a diverse group of stakeholders who have come together to educate America about the benefits of a strong freight and passenger rail system. Learn more at www.onerail.org; follow OneRail on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.