United for Infrastructure Newsletter | October 13, 2026
Senate releases bipartisan permitting reform bill
The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee released the much-anticipated Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 on September 30. The release follows decades of calls for permitting reform from groups across the political spectrum as infrastructure project timelines and costs have ballooned.
The Bipartisan Policy Center breaks down the key aspects of the permitting bill, which includes changes to NEPA deadlines and judicial review, historic preservation projects, and transmission system siting.
Several of UFI’s Steering Committee members have voiced support of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act. Others have not taken a stance.
Steering Committee members weighing in include:
National Association of Counties
U.S. Chamber debuts map highlighting economic impacts of infrastructure investment
UFI Steering Committee member U.S. Chamber of Commerce created an interactive map, in partnership with American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), that illustrates how infrastructure powers the economy and creates and supports jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The map breaks down total wages supported by transportation jobs, the total value of goods moving across each state, and how much funding each state received through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
NLC: $36.8B in transportation cuts underscore urgency of reauthorization
UFI Steering Committee member the National League of Cities (NLC) published an analysis examining the impact of $36.8 billion in automatic cuts to federal transportation programs that took effect in September.
Over the past five years, IIJA expanded local access to federal transportation dollars largely through competitive grants, including the popular Safe Streets for All and BUILD grant programs; that access narrows considerably absent further Congressional action to fund these and other Division J programs. NLC points to two paths forward: supplemental Division J funding, or a full reauthorization of surface transportation programs.
UFI continues to track reauthorization developments and share resources for partners and advocates to engage Congress.
Mark your calendar: Value of Water Campaign’s Imagine a Day Without Water
UFI Steering Committee member Value of Water Campaign will hold its annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a national day of action, on Thursday, October 15. The day brings together thousands of people and organizations across the country to highlight the value of water in our daily lives and the systems that deliver it.
Voters head to the polls to decide on local infrastructure ballot measures
With early voting now open in some cities, voters in dozens of communities across the country are beginning to weigh in on local transit and infrastructure ballot measures that, if passed, could dedicate millions, and in some cases billions, of dollars in revenue for public transit, roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure.
The American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Center for Transportation Excellence (CFTE) tracks local ballot measures each year. To date, 34 of the 61 ballot initiatives the center is tracking have won at the ballot box, and four have failed. The remaining measures will be decided on Election Day.
UFI is a project of Accelerator for America Action, a 501(c)4 that supports campaigns for transit and infrastructure ballot measures. AFA Action recently highlighted three communities — the Bay Area, Charleston, and Charlotte — that have measures on the ballot this November.
Make Your Voice Heard
Help us build out our federal projects map
UFI launched an interactive map spotlighting federally funded projects in communities across the country — from roads, bridges, and public transit to water and digital infrastructure. We invite you to help us build out the map by submitting federally supported projects that show how federal investments are delivering tangible impacts on the ground.
This map builds directly on the storytelling at the heart of the Building a Stronger America campaign: elevating the voices of state, local, and private-sector leaders who’ve seen firsthand what federal infrastructure dollars mean for their communities.
Write a letter to your federal representatives
Use the application on UFI’s website to draft a letter or email to your federal representatives, encouraging them to support robust and sustained infrastructure investment. The tool allows you to tailor your communication to emphasize your infrastructure priorities and include information about how federal investments are helping your community and communities across the U.S. to drive economic growth, create millions of jobs, and strengthen our national security.
Stay Connected!
Be an advocate for the value of investments in our nation's infrastructure by amplifying UFI within your network! Follow us on X and LinkedIn for infrastructure-related news, updates, and information from our esteemed Steering Committee and valued Partnership Network.
Got a story we should know about? Has your infrastructure project or initiative been in the news lately? Help us amplify it by tagging us: @United4infra or #UnitedForInfrastructure.
Upcoming Events
Stay up to date on upcoming UFI events, partner convenings, and opportunities to engage by visiting our events calendar.