This bill allocates \$23,290,035 for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's expenses during the 119th Congress, with spending limits for each session and guidelines for voucher payments and adherence to House Administration Committee regulations.
Sam Graves
Representative
MO-6
This bill allocates $23,290,035 from the House of Representatives' funds to cover the expenses of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 119th Congress, including staff salaries. It sets spending limits for two sessions and mandates that all payments be made through vouchers signed by the Chairman and approved by the Committee on House Administration. Additionally, all funds must be spent in accordance with the regulations set by the House Administration Committee.
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Gets $23.3 Million Budget for 119th Congress
The House just greenlit a $23,290,035 budget for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 119th Congress. This funding covers everything from staff salaries to other operational expenses, ensuring the committee can keep tabs on the nation's transportation and infrastructure needs.
Dollars and Cents Breakdown
The bill breaks down the budget into two main chunks, tied to specific timeframes:
- First Session (Jan 3, 2025 - Jan 3, 2026): Up to $11,102,513 is available.
- Second Session (Jan 3, 2026 - Jan 3, 2027): Up to $12,187,522 is allocated.
These limits ensure that spending is spread out across the two-year period, preventing a spending spree in one session and leaving the cupboard bare for the next.
Show Me the Receipts
To keep things on the up-and-up, the bill mandates that all payments are made via vouchers. Think of it like a corporate expense report: every dollar spent needs a paper trail. These vouchers require the signature of the Committee Chairman and a thumbs-up from the Committee on House Administration (Sec. 3). This double-check system is designed to minimize the risk of funds going astray. All expenditures also have to comply with regulations set by the House Administration Committee (Sec. 4).
Real-World Implications
While this bill might seem like inside baseball, it has real-world implications. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure oversees a massive chunk of our daily lives, from the roads we drive on to the planes we fly in. This funding allows them to:
- Hire and pay staff with expertise in these areas.
- Conduct investigations and oversight of transportation and infrastructure projects.
- Hold hearings and gather information to inform policy decisions.
For example, if a bridge collapses (hopefully not!), this committee would be involved in investigating the cause and figuring out how to prevent future incidents. Or, if a new highway project is proposed, they'd be examining its potential impact on communities and the environment. The funding in this bill is what allows that work to happen.
Potential Pitfalls
While the voucher system is designed to prevent misuse of funds, there's always a risk of overspending within the allocated budget if oversight isn't tight. The Committee on House Administration plays a critical role here in keeping a close eye on those vouchers. Another point to note is that the industries that heavily lobby the bill's sponsor include Air Transport, Oil & Gas, General Contractors, Building Materials & Equipment, and Trucking. This raises the potential for a conflict of interest, where the committee's decisions could indirectly benefit those industries.