Federal Advocacy
MTC is a strong advocate in Washington, D.C. for the Bay Area’s transportation priorities – focusing on policy and funding decisions that have a big influence on the region’s transportation network.
Photo by Maria Oswalt/Unsplash
Federal transportation policy and funding decisions are key to how regional priorities are delivered in the Bay Area. MTC is the Bay Area's federally designated metropolitan planning organization. This means that MTC has responsibility for regional transportation planning. Somewhat uniquely, MTC is also responsible for distributing the Bay Area’s approximately $900 million each year in federal transit and highway funds.That funding is used to help move projects from planning to reality.
MTC’s federal advocacy work focuses on:
- Ensuring that Bay Area priorities are reflected in federal transportation policy;
- Coordinating partners across the Bay Area; and
- Supporting a strong and reliable federal transportation program that advances priority projects across the Bay Area.
Advocacy Principles
At a high-level, here are the current objectives and goals for federal advocacy work. See the 2025 Advocacy Program for specifics.
- Transportation and Housing Funding
- Preserving California Access to Federal Transit Funds
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Reauthorization
- Focus on Transit Riders
- Maintain federal commitments to safety and state of good repair
- Support improvements that can be sustained over the long-term
- Climate, Resilience and Environment
Federal Advocacy Priorities
Highlighted below are details on some of the top federal advocacy priorities.
Federal Surface Transportation Reauthorization
Every five or so years, Congress updates the surface transportation law that guides federal funding and policies for highways, transit and freight.
Current law, the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) expires on September 1, 2026.
For the next version of the surface transportation law, MTC's top priorities are:
- Ensure the Bay Area’s federal transportation funding remains stable.
MTC’s top priority is to prevent the Bay Area federal transportation funding from being drastically cut. This may be done through sustaining or increasing Highway Trust Fund (HTF) dollars for core highway and transit programs. - Fully fund the Capital Investment Grant Program.
In the coming years, the Bay Area is counting on billions in federal transit Capital Investment Grant dollars for projects that will help the region meet growing transportation demand. - Establish a Resilient Regions Challenge.
Secure funds for a several large-scale demonstration projects to protect key infrastructure (and regional economies) from natural disasters. - Improve project delivery and transportation system effectiveness.
Add flexibility to federal policy and funding rules to remove barriers and help projects get to construction more quickly.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocates roughly $1 trillion for infrastructure investment over five years, including a five-year authorization of the core federal surface transportation program.
- MTC distributes federal transit funds through the Transit Capital Priorities program.
- MTC distributes flexible highway funds through the One Bay Area Grant program, the Active Transportation Program and the Carbon Reduction Program.
Capital Investment Grant Program
The Capital Investment Grant Program is the major funding source for rail and bus expansion projects nationwide.
MTC advocates for robust funding levels in Washington D.C. and also plays a critical role in helping Bay Area transit partners agree about which projects should be put forward to apply for these highly competitive grant dollars.
Working Together on the Federal, State & Regional Levels
State legislators work on a range of policies that affect the Bay Area. MTC makes sure the Bay Area has a voice when state laws are made and state funding gets distributed.
MTC collaborates with city and county transportation leaders, transit agencies and other partners to advance shared regional priorities.
MTC teams with many national organizations to advocate for federal policies that improve transportation in large metro areas. These include:
- American Public Transportation Association
- Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
- Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors
- ITS America
- International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association
- Transportation for America
- U.S. Conference of Mayors
View past MTC reports to Congress:
- 2025: Surface Transportation Reauthorization: MTC Priorities for a Strong Bay Area - 45th Annual Report to Congress
- 2024: Building a Better Bay Area: Federal Infrastructure Grant Priorities — Annual Report to Congress
- 2023: Building a Better Bay Area: BIL Grant Priorities — Annual Report to Congress
- 2022: The Bay Area is Stronger Together: BIL Grant Priorities — Annual Report to Congress
- 2020: Planning and Partnering for a New Generation — Annual Report to Congress
- 2019: Building Resilience: Planning and Investing in the Bay Area's Future — Annual Report to Congress
- 2018: Accelerating Progress: Strong Partnerships Move the Bay Area Forward — Annual Report to Congress
- 2017: Keeping the FAST Act Promise: 38th Annual Report to Congress
- 2016: 37th Annual Report to Congress: FAST Act Promises New Opportunities
- 2015: Report to Congress: Will Congress Choose a New Direction?
- 2014: Building America's Future : Bay Area on the Move : 35th Annual Report to Congress
These online resources make it easier to stay on top of what’s going on in Washington: