In a significant move to challenge the Biden administration’s allocation of federal funds, Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is planning to introduce a resolution that aims to overturn the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision to tie certain grants to left-wing priorities. Cruz’s resolution specifically targets the management of three grant programs that serve as crucial sources of funding for surface transportation projects nationwide.
The DOT has mandated that recipients of the grants consider equity, barriers to opportunity, climate change, and environmental justice in their planning. However, Cruz argues that the Biden administration is trying to direct taxpayer money towards favored projects and constituencies, rather than implementing the law as written.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced in June that the agency had begun accepting applications for the National Infrastructure Project Assistance, Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA), and Rural Surface Transportation Grant programs. These programs received a collective boost of $5.6 billion under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, with a focus on supporting transformative infrastructure projects across the nation.
However, the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) issued by the DOT as part of the grant awarding process states that recipients must address equity and climate concerns. Projects that do not sufficiently consider these factors will be required to do so before receiving funds for construction.
The conditions cited President Biden’s day-one executive order on “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.” Cruz wrote to the Government Accountability Office seeking confirmation that the NOFO is a rule subject to the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a law that allows Congress to revoke federal regulations. The watchdog agency responded, confirming that the NOFO is indeed subject to the CRA.
Since gaining control of the House, Republicans have utilized the CRA to revoke several Biden administration regulations. Notably, Congress has passed resolutions revoking rules related to water protections, heavy-duty vehicle tailpipe emissions, listing the Lesser Prairie Chicken as “endangered,” and allowing Chinese solar panel makers to avoid tariffs.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito, the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, expressed her commitment to holding the Biden administration accountable for any overreach on environment and energy issues. She stated that the bipartisan oversight efforts are well-founded and will continue to protect American families, workers, and employers from what she sees as harmful regulations.
This resolution introduced by Senator Ted Cruz is another example of Republican pushback against the Biden administration’s policies and priorities. As the battle for control and influence over federal funding continues, the outcome of this resolution will have significant implications for future infrastructure and transportation projects across the United States.
Thomas Catenacci is a politics writer for Digital, providing the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail and exclusive interviews. Stay informed with the latest political content by subscribing to his newsletter.
