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Duffy during a July 8 cabinet meeting. (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg)

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WASHINGTON — Investments in traditional infrastructure projects and a focus on streamlining the environmental permitting process are atop the priorities for the nation’s transportation leader who appeared before Congress July 16.

During a wide-ranging hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outlined myriad policy and funding proposals front-and-center at his department.

The aim of his agenda, he explained, is to further invest in freight and commuter connectivity corridors as well as expedite the completion of major infrastructure projects. Amid growing concerns in the aviation sector and supply chain corridors, the secretary assured policymakers the Trump administration has enhanced its safety response.

Duffy appeared before the panel to defend President Donald Trump’s fiscal 2026 budget request to Congress.

“As part of President Trump’s ambitious plan to make America build again, we’ve ripped up red tape delays and are ensuring taxpayer dollars are being spent toward actual infrastructure,” Duffy told lawmakers. “What I’ve laid out is only just the beginning. Revitalizing American infrastructure is at the heart of this administration’s historic agenda. America’s ability to move goods and people freely, safely and quickly has always been a hallmark competitive advantage.”

(Associated Press via YouTube)

Ahead of the hearing, DOT announced nearly $500 million in grants for infrastructure projects around the country. Systems related to roadways and bridges received the majority of the grants. This month, Duffy also was named interim head of NASA.

For the most part, members of the panel turned their attention to the upcoming consideration of a multiyear surface transportation bill. The nation’s highway network is operating under a fall 2026 deadline. The most recent authorization of highway programs was tucked into 2021’s $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Biden-era bipartisan infrastructure law.

At issue for the committee is identifying a remedy for the Highway Trust Fund account, which generates insufficient revenue to meet its obligations. A longtime tool for assisting states with highway maintenance projects, the fund is backed by the federal fuel tax.

“The current authorization, which is set to expire next September, has plagued infrastructure planning with delays, cost increases and administrative confusion,” said committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.). “This committee has a prime opportunity to refocus on core infrastructure that moves people and goods safely and efficiently, cut red tape and accelerate project delivery, ensure states have the flexibility they need to address their priorities, and shore up the bankrupt Highway Trust Fund.”

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(Al Drago/Bloomberg)

This year, Graves has repeatedly pointed to the possible consideration of fees for drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles. During Congress’ consideration of the “,” House Republicans approved a $250 annual registration fee on electric vehicles and a $100 annual fee on hybrids. The final version of the massive tax and budget law did not include those fees.

Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the panel’s ranking member, took aim at the upcoming highway bill while pointing to the politics of the moment. Larsen is among Democrats on Capitol Hill pushing back on Trump White House directives specific to DOT staffing and regulations. As he put it, “We have a great opportunity to work together on job-creating infrastructure investments this Congress, including a surface transportation authorization bill.”

“But to do any of that work,” he went on, “we must rise above the chaos.”

Pertaining to the trucking industry, Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) raised concerns associated with insufficient parking for the nation’s commercial drivers. The Georgia Republican told the secretary that improving truck parking could boost industry productivity and efficiency. “No. 1, I want to just tell you about truck parking,” Collins said. “We didn’t have that problem a decade ago.”

RELATED:��Duffy Unveils $275M Truck Parking Program, Slashes Rules

A lack of adequate parking for truckers has been a long-standing concern industrywide. American Trucking Associations is among the stakeholders consistently pressing Congress to approve funding for parking expansion projects. In recent years, members of the transportation panel have been unsuccessful in advancing a comprehensive truck parking measure. A fiscal 2026 transportation funding bill, expected to reach the floor of the House before October, would dedicate $200 million for such projects.

ATA applauded the proposed funding in the fiscal 2026 bill. “The substantial investment for expanded parking capacity would help alleviate one of the biggest challenges that truck drivers face and improve the efficiency and safety of our roadways,” said ATA senior vice president of legislative affairs Henry Hanscom.

On the other side of the Capitol, senators have been ramping up debate on their version of the multiyear surface transportation bill.

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