Press Releases

Washington, D.C.—Today, the House overwhelmingly supported a bipartisan, long-term highway bill that will reauthorize and reform surface transportation programs in the United States. Rep. Curbelo issued the following statement in support of this legislation: 

“For far too long, Congress has kicked the can down the road by providing short-term patches to transportation funding, causing uncertainty for our local and state governments as they work to repair our nation’s failing infrastructure. This important bill authorizes surface transportation programs for six years and improves our nation’s infrastructure system by prioritizing funding and providing more flexibility to states.

I am pleased that several of my initiatives, which will greatly benefit South Florida, were included in the House-passed bill. As a strong advocate for transportation safety – Miami is the fourth deadliest city in the country for pedestrians, according to AARP – I was pleased to include language that would direct states to develop roadways with the safety of everyone in mind, including public transportation vehicles and riders, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. I was also pleased to see robust authorization levels for the important University Transportation Center program, which will receive $72.5 million per year with incremental increases over the next six years. 125 universities across the country participate in the UTC program, conducting critical research to develop future transportation technologies. Florida International University in our Congressional District is a world-recognized leader in Accelerated Bridge Construction and I’m proud to advocate on their and all the UTCs behalf here in Congress.”

The House Amendments to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 22, the DRIVE Act, were concurred to in the House by a vote of 363-64. The House and Senate will now have a Conference Committee to present a bipartisan, bicameral bill for the President’s signature into law. 

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