Torres-Led Changes & Funding Requests Pass House in Surface Transportation Bill

Statement

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) applauded as numerous provisions and funding requests that she offered to the INVEST in America Act passed with the bill last week.

Congresswoman Torres released the following statement:

"Federal transportation investments help communities thrive, which is why my focus during the amendment process was to ensure equity, accessibility, and opportunity in this bill," Rep. Norma J. Torres said. "From extending transportation options to communities that have none, to targeting air quality investments to locations like the Inland Empire which has some of the country's worst conditions, to addressing the digital divide in federally assisted housing, the provisions I included will improve the quality of life for Americans across the country. I appreciate the show of support my Congressional colleagues gave by including all of my provisions in the bill last week -- these are the kinds of investments we need as we emerge from the pandemic, and I will continue to push for them until they're signed into law."

Rep. Torres' provisions that were included in the INVEST Act, or added as amendments during consideration by the full House of Representatives, include:

A requirement for GAO to study of Vehicle Miles Traveled pilot programs and their impacts on low-income commuters with limited public transportation options. VMT is touted as the future way to pay for roads. Rep. Torres remains committed to ensuring low-income communities don't pay more than their fair share for roads.
A provision to reinstate the Transportation Equity Research Program, which was established in 2005, but has been dormant for the past decade. This research program is dedicate to ensuring all communities have effective transportation and benefit from federal transportation funding.
A provision to raise the current authorization of the Transportation Equity Research program from $2 million to $8 million.
A requirement for GAO to review State Department of Transportation equity practices.
An expansion (from 15 years to 30 years) of protections for affordable housing in the Transit-Oriented Development pilot programs.
A provision to raise the authorization amount for the Regional Infrastructure Accelerator from $12 million to $13.6 million. The provision also prioritizes projects that improve air quality in the areas with the worst air quality in the nation.
A provision to increase road safety by ensuring DOT considers the latest research in setting speed limit guidance.
A requirement for GAO to study current broadband in federally assisted housing and access feasibility of expanding broadband services in these homes.
Additionally, Torres previously announced two community funding projects that she included in the bill:

$5 Million for Pine Avenue Extension: Rep. Torres secured $5 million to help extend Pine Avenue in the City of Chino out to the 71 Freeway. The $50 million project has been in planning stages for more than a decade.
$15 Million for Malaga Bridge Project: Rep. Torres secured $15 million to help reconstruct the historic Malaga Bridge in Fontana, expand part of Foothill Boulevard, and construct pedestrian sidewalks and bike lanes for Fontana. The project will improve traffic safety, reduce congestion, and provide adequate pedestrian facilities.

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