Balance the Highway Trust Fund Act

Key Points

• This bill would change how the federal government pays for roads, bridges, and public transit. It requires that the amount of money spent on these projects each year cannot be more than the amount of money the government actually collects from gas taxes and other transportation fees.
• State and local governments would be most affected by this change. Currently, Congress often spends more on transportation than it collects in taxes, using extra money from the general budget to fill the gap. Under this plan, if tax collections go down, states would receive less federal money for their construction projects.
• The goal of the policy is to make the Highway Trust Fund 'self-sustaining' so it doesn't rely on outside bailouts. This ensures the government only commits to projects it can afford with the money specifically set aside for transportation.
• If passed, these new spending limits would take effect on October 1, 2027. This would give the Department of Transportation and state agencies time to adjust their long-term plans for highway and bus system improvements.