The Trump administration recently issued a memorandum to address what some lawmakers have deemed an 'error' in a previous executive order that could have affected infrastructure, energy, and transportation projects. The executive order had initially called for a pause in the disbursement of funds allocated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Jim Tymon, the executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, highlighted the concerns raised within the state Department of Transportation community regarding the order. He noted a brief period during which federal funding reimbursements for formula programs were temporarily halted.
Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler, a member of the House subcommittee on Highways and Transit, expressed his dissatisfaction with the order, stating that it had caused an 'entirely avoidable crisis.' While acknowledging the subsequent memorandum sent to address the issue, Nadler urged further action to ensure the uninterrupted flow of essential infrastructure funding to states.
It is worth noting that nearly 78% of the $346 billion in investments outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act are designated for Republican congressional districts. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, was signed into law under the Biden administration in 2021, authorizing $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending.
