Biden's infrastructure law surface transportation authorization expires, requiring Congress to pass a new multi-year bill

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act authorized federal surface transportation programs — covering the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, and four other DOT agencies — through September 30, 2026. Without a reauthorization, federal highway formula funding to all 50 states, transit capital grants, bridge replacement programs, and rail safety programs lose their authorizing legislation. Congress faces a $166 billion projected gap between Highway Trust Fund revenues and spending over a five-year reauthorization window. The gas tax, last raised in 1993, would need to increase from 18.3 cents to 41 cents per gallon just to match inflation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy kicked off the reauthorization process in summer 2025 with a multi-stakeholder conference. Failure to pass a new bill by the deadline typically triggers a short-term extension.