Kelly, Cruz, Cornyn, Gallego Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Restore Fairness in Federal Highway Funding

Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) reintroduced the Highway Formula Fairness Act to modernize the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) distribution formula to ensure states receive a fair share of federal surface transportation funding based on the amount they contribute to the HTF. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representative Chip Roy (R-TX-21).

"Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, but we've been shortchanged for decades when it comes to federal funding for the highways, roads, and bridges we rely on every day," said Senator Kelly. "Arizona drivers send their tax dollars to Washington, and we should be getting our fair share back to build safer roads and keep our economy moving."

"Texas is the second-largest contributor to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), yet it has received a smaller share relative to its contributions than any other state over the life of the fund. This disparity is particularly untenable because Texas is growing rapidly, with a population that has increased by more than 4 million in a decade. This legislation will ensure we have a highway funding formula that guarantees every state receives its fair share of infrastructure investment. It is bipartisan, common sense, and should be advanced by Congress and sent to the President," said Senator Cruz.

"The Lone Star State should not be forced to pay disproportionately more than other states to maintain federal highways, putting an undue burden on Texas taxpayers. By guaranteeing all states receive at least 95% of what they contribute to the Highway Trust Fund, this legislation would ensure fairness, transparency, and predictability for the distribution of federal highway resources and critical infrastructure projects in Texas, and I'm proud to support it," said Senator Cornyn.

"Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, but since the formula used to allocate federal highway funding hasn't been updated in over twenty years, Arizonans don't get their fair share of assistance. Arizonans pay into the system, and they deserve to see that investment come back home. This bill would finally update those outdated formulas so fast-growing states like ours have the resources we need to maintain our roads, repair our bridges, and keep our communities moving," said Senator Gallego.

"For too long, Texas has been shortchanged by the Highway Trust Fund, receiving less than our fair share of the dollars we send to Washington. Senator Cruz and I reintroduced this bill to fix that and ensure at least a 95 percent return on every dollar Texans contribute," said Representative Roy.

Read the bill text here.