Congress Faces Key Infrastructure Funding Decisions During Lame-Duck Session

The election may have delivered Democrats control of Congress, but new legislators won’t begin their terms until Jan. 3, 2027. Before then, there are several key pieces of legislation the 119th Congress is expected to take up during the lame-duck session that begins Monday, Nov. 9.

Among those items is the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-Term Development for America’s 250th Act (BUILD America 250 Act), H.R. 8870, a $580 billion infrastructure bill that would provide five years of funding to improve roads, bridges, ports, railroads, and transit systems. FEDA and other business advocacy groups are supporting the bill. As part of the total funding amount, the bill sets aside $474 billion for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and creates new fees on electric vehicles. Currently, the HTF is financed primarily by the federal gas tax and has run a deficit since fiscal year 2006. Without action, the fund could become insolvent by 2028, affecting the nation’s ability to maintain its highway infrastructure.

Congress failed to pass the BUILD America 250 Act before the previous transportation funding bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), was scheduled to expire on Sept. 30. Legislators instead extended the IIJA — and several other government funding bills — until Dec. 11 to avoid a government shutdown. Lawmakers will have until then to reach an agreement on a longer-term government funding package that could include the BUILD America 250 Act.

If the bill doesn’t pass before Congress recesses for Christmas, it may still move forward in the new Congress. One of its co-sponsors, Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), is the ranking member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and could become the committee’s next chair in the 120th Congress.

FEDA will continue monitoring the BUILD America 250 Act and other legislation that could affect the foodservice equipment distribution industry. Visit the FEDA Advocacy Center to track the latest developments, follow key legislation, and stay informed about FEDA’s advocacy efforts.