As House Committee Prepares to Mark Up BUILD America 250 Act, National and Local Leaders Convene to Discuss Future of Federal Infrastructure Investment

With the BUILD America 250 Act headed to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup on Thursday, May 21, policymakers and industry leaders gathered in Washington yesterday for United for Infrastructure‘s (UFI) signature Infrastructure Week event, hosted at Business Roundtable.

Focused on the future of long-term federal infrastructure investment, the event brought together members of Congress, state and local officials, business leaders, labor representatives, and stakeholders from across the infrastructure sector. The recently introduced five-year, bipartisan bill served as a focal point for discussions about the future of surface transportation investment.

“While the BUILD America 250 Act doesn’t include all my priorities, this legislation moves us forward on creating good-paying transportation jobs, growing and supporting our economy, and helping safely transport people and goods across this country,” said Congressman Rick Larsen, Ranking Member, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (D-WA).

“We are getting America building again with a focus on large, durable projects that enhance our safety while connecting our country and our people,” said Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster, U.S. Department of Transportation.

Legislators also discussed their goals to reduce permitting delays and other bottlenecks that can drive up infrastructure project costs for taxpayers and local communities.

“Our focus was to streamline project delivery and to stretch the taxpayer dollar that much further,” said Congressman David Rouzer, Chairman, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (R-NC). “For every year delay you have, it increases the cost of these projects 20%, 30%, 40%, if not more in some cases.”

With the United States facing an estimated $3.7 trillion infrastructure funding gap — and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) set to expire in September 2026 — speakers underscored the importance of building on existing federal investments so that communities have the reliable funding needed to plan, repair and build for the future.

“We know that our infrastructure needs investment, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act gave us the opportunity to repair what we have and build what we need,” said Mayor Eileen Higgins, City of Miami, Florida. “It is great to see that the BUILD America 250 Act is building upon the IIJA and moving that forward. From a local government perspective, making sure we have a consistent, reliable source of funding allows us to plan.”

UFI’s Building a Stronger America campaign will continue this push for sustained federal infrastructure funding beyond Infrastructure Week, amplifying the voices and experiences of local leaders who know firsthand how investments in roads, water, transit, broadband and energy systems strengthen communities and support economic growth.

“Roads are a real everyday showcase of whether or not government is working,” said Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI). “This is the reality of people in the day-to-day. Whether we are talking about accessing dollars that will help with that problem or whether we are talking about speeding up the process so that we can build, that is something that everyone in the country wants to see happen. We may disagree about how to get there, but there’s a common goal here.”

Taken together, the day’s discussion highlighted the interconnected nature of infrastructure challenges, from transportation and permitting to rising energy demand, grid capacity and water systems. As Congress considers the BUILD America 250 Act, speakers emphasized the need for sustained federal commitment and policies that enhance economic competitiveness and strengthen communities.

Learn more about UFI’s Building a Stronger America campaign here.