Delgado Priorities Included in Committee-Passed Infrastructure Package

Press Release

Last night, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed the INVEST in America Act, comprehensive transportation legislation which includes a nearly $500 billion investment in American infrastructure to create jobs, support American manufacturing, and restore U.S. competitiveness. As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Rep. Antonio Delgado (NY-19) championed provisions to increase funding for rural transportation and bus routes, as well as bipartisan legislation to address limo safety loopholes.

"As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I'm proud to cast my vote for these long overdue critical investments in infrastructure. With these investments, local economies across our district will grow and provide more opportunities for families to stay here at home and build a future," said Rep. Delgado. "I am particularly proud this package will include legislation I introduced to significantly increase investments in rural public transportation as well as my bill to raise the bar on limousine safety standards to better protect passengers."

The INVEST in America Act includes critical provisions introduced by Rep. Delgado including:

Legislation to increase 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program at the Federal Transit Administration by 50% for Fiscal Year 2021, with a $20 million increase per year until 2025. Rep. Delgado introduced the Rural Transportation Improvement Act, which includes a similar funding allotment. The bill will give rural communities the funding needed to expand bus routes, and make improvements to public transportation systems that increase accessibility and enable economic development. The Rural Areas Program provides capital, planning, and operating assistance to states to support public transportation in rural areas with populations of less than 50,000, where many residents often rely on public transit to reach their destinations. Eligible activities include planning, capital, operating, job access and reverse commute projects, and the acquisition of public transportation services.

Additionally, the INVEST in America Act includes limo safety measures announced on the one-year anniversary of a tragic limousine crash in Schoharie, NY that took the lives of 20 people. Reps. Delgado and Tonko worked closely with families of these victims and others who lost loved ones in another limousine tragedy on Long Island.

End the Limo Loophole Act, sponsored by Rep. Antonio Delgado, closes the "limousine loophole" by reclassifying vehicles used to carry nine or more passengers as commercial motor vehicles. Current law only classifies vehicles designed for 15 or more passengers in this way, allowing many limousines to operate under less rigorous standards.
Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act, sponsored by Rep. Paul Tonko: promotes funding to support states' efforts to impound or immobilize vehicles that fail inspection for critical safety reasons. The act will incentivize states such as New York to take strong actions to keep unsafe limos that fail inspection off the road.

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