It seems House Democrats are close to reaching a deal to pass the Bipartisan Infrasturcture Framework (BIF) by Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s October 31st deadline, perhaps also in conjunction with a larger budget reconciliation deal, according to Newsweek. Other reports suggest the Senate is planning for an extension of current legislation through December 3rd, which suggests a deal is not forthcoming. We’ll be monitoring the situation closely and share any key developments relating to infrastructure legislation in Washington with SWTA’s membership. SWTA staff and legislative committee members played an active role in ensuring your legislative priorities were included in the BIF; stay tuned for a legislative update virtual session outlining these important results for transit systems in our region once this important legislation has been signed into law.
As we await for the BIF to be enacted – with federal transit programs technically unauthorized currently following the expiration of the FAST Act on September 30th – we have some updates from FTA staff on current availability of funds: FTA's grant making system, TrAMS, is closed for new financial transactions. In the meantime, State DOT's can still begin developing grant applications in TrAMS for prior year FTA funds (FY21 and earlier). FTA always appreciates when recipients begin applying for their carryover funds as early as possible in the Federal fiscal year.
