Federal Advocacy

Federal policy decisions have a big influence on the region’s transportation network.

MTC's advocacy work in Washington traditionally focuses on the overall federal transportation program, and on support for capital investment in Bay Area transportation projects.

Several recent funding bills came to pass in part through MTC’s advocacy efforts:

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)

The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H. R. 3684) — known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) — allocates roughly $1 trillion for infrastructure investment, and reauthorizes the core federal surface transportation program.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Grants

Bay Area surface transportation projects can compete for their share of roughly $140 billion in grant funding authorized by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

Surface Transportation Law

Federal funding — as authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or BIL) — is essential to keeping the Bay Area moving.

COVID-19 Relief Funding

Federal relief funds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic delivered almost $4 billion for Bay Area transit agencies. This money kept transit agencies running, and will help the Bay Area to invest and plan for a better public transit network in the future.

• American Rescue Plan Act (March 2021)
• Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (December 2020)
• CARES Act (April 2020)

New Starts

The Section 5309 Capital Investment Grant program — commonly referred to as New Starts — is the main funding source for rail and bus expansion projects nationwide.