Build America 250 Act Passes Committee; Fong Celebrates Wins

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This morning, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed H.R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act with Rep. Vince Fong's (CA-20) support.

The BUILD America 250 Act is a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that invests in American roads, bridges, rail transportation, and infrastructure. It prioritizes safety, efficiency, and innovation, including the first-ever federal framework for self-driving commercial vehicles, championed by Rep. Fong.

"Today is a major victory for California and for the nation," said Rep. Fong. "The BUILD America 250 Act is the most significant surface transportation investment in decades, and I'm proud to have helped secure critical priorities that will strengthen our communities, invest in our road and bridge infrastructure, and keep America moving. This legislation will rebuild and expand our roads and bridges, improve safety, strengthen supply chains, and support long-term economic growth across the Central Valley, California, and throughout our country. I'm especially proud that several key policy priorities I fought for were included in the final bill-ensuring this legislation delivers real results for the Central Valley and communities nationwide."

A major victory secured by Rep. Fong is the inclusion of the first-ever federal safety framework for autonomous commercial motor vehicles. Last year, Rep. Fong introduced the AMERICA DRIVES Act to establish clear federal guidelines for AV trucking technology, giving industry and states the certainty they need to move forward responsibly. Provisions from the AMERICA DRIVES Act were included in the BUILD America 250 Act. This framework will position American innovation at the forefront of the global transportation economy, saving lives while moving goods quicker and more cost efficient.

"As China attempts to race ahead in autonomous vehicle technology and artificial intelligence, America must lead - not follow - in shaping the future of transportation," said Congressman Fong. "This national safety framework, built on my AMERICA DRIVES Act, strengthens U.S. innovation, competitiveness, and national security while ensuring California's leadership in this industry is reflected in federal policy. I also want to thank House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves for his tremendous leadership in advancing this effort."

"Fresno COG thanks and appreciates the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and our own Representative Vince Fong, for their careful consideration of the Build America 250 Act," said Robert Phipps, Executive Director Fresno Council of Governments. "This bill contains numerous common sense advancements and solutions for which we have long advocated in the interest of helping our people and economy move more efficiently. From greater investment in bridges to environmental streamlining to greater funding flexibility, Fresno COG is thrilled that the House T&I Committee sees the same opportunities to improve our transportation network that we do."

"The BUILD America 250 Act seeks to prioritize safety and roadway maintenance," said Jay Schlosser, P.E., Executive Director Kern Council of Governments. "Of specific value is the Act's provisions to streamline the delivery of Federal funds to the local agencies who are in greatest need. We applaud Congressman Fong's efforts to reduce red tape, invest in America's highways, and improve freight mobility in Kern County."

"I am incredibly pleased to see this project finally come to fruition after many years of collaboration, planning, and dedication from so many stakeholders," said Theodore Smalley, Executive Director Tulare County of Governments. "I'm especially grateful to have worked on this effort personally, and I'm proud that our contributions helped support the passage of this important milestone. This achievement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening our infrastructure, supporting economic growth, and investing in the future of our communities. We appreciate Congressman Fong's leadership in helping move this important effort forward."

In addition to supporting American infrastructure, the bill delivers a number of wins for CA-20 that Rep. Fong fought to secure:

• Helps local planners receive federal funds directly.
  • Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a process to allow local transportation planners, specifically Metropolitan Planning Organizations, to receive certain federal funds directly. This section improves efficiency and helps eliminate red tape.
• Establishes funding provision for farm to market routes.
  • Establishes a grant opportunity for key infrastructure that advance the movement of agricultural products.
• Temporarily bans federal funding for California High-Speed Rail and establishes a working group to assess its future.
  • Temporarily bans federal funding on the California High-Speed Rail project, which was supposed to be completed by 2020 for $33 billion. Currently, in 2026, there are no usable trains or tracks, and the price tag has risen to up to $231 billion.
  • Creates a working group, appointed by the Transportation Secretary and Congressional leadership, to review the project.
• Safe Integration of Autonomous Commercial Motor Vehicles.
  • Includes provisions of Rep. Fong's AMERICA DRIVES Act to establish clear federal guidelines for AV trucking technology.
• Rep. Fong's amendment limiting vicarious liability for ride-share companies.
  • Roughly one-third of a ride-share fare in California, and nearly one-half in Los Angeles, goes toward government-mandated insurance costs. This amendment helps reduce transportation costs by curbing limitless, frivolous litigation against ride-share companies.