USCTA Alert

May 22, 2026

After a marathon session, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee early this morning approved a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that proposes to restore and extend the airport TIFIA program, which expired on September 30, 2025. Ensuring that airports have access to federal credit assistance is a top airport priority for the surface bill.
 
H.R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act
 
Overview: Earlier this week, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) unveiled the BUILD America 250 Act – a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that will “invest in America’s roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs.” Surface programs are set to expire on September 30.
 
TIFIA for Airports: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Congress passed in 2021, expanded Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act to include airport projects. The Sacramento International Airport received a low interest TIFIA loan in 2025 to help build a skybridge project. However, airports interested in obtaining credit assistance were required to submit their proposals to DOT before the September 30, 2025 deadline. 
 
AAAE and ACI-NA have been urging Congress to restore and extend the airport TIFIA program to help airports finance critical infrastructure projects. The BUILD America 250 Act would extend the Airport TIFIA program, allowing up to “15 percent of TIFIA funds for airport-related projects.”
 
Transportation Assistance for International Games: The Build America 250 Act also proposes to provide transportation assistance for airports, other state and local government entities, and metropolitan planning organizations dealing with “major international sporting events, including Olympic, Paralympic, and FIFA World Cup events.” The bill authorizes $50 million annually through FY31 for the program that would provide grants for “transportation projects and planning activities.” Eligible airports include those within a 100-mile radius of the sporting event.
 
AAAE Voices Support for Restoring and Extending Airport TIFIA Program and Other Airport Provisions: Earlier this week, AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli urged lawmakers to adopt the airport provisions in the BUILD America Act as soon as possible and to take other steps to help airports build critical infrastructure projects. A copy of his letter and support letters from other transportation stakeholders may be viewed here.
 
Amendments
 
Motorcoach Enplanement Pilot Program: Yesterday, the committee passed a manager’s amendment that included a proposal from Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) that would create a motorcoach enplanement pilot program in FY27 and FY28. His amendment would allow airports that have airline-sponsored bus service to another airport to count those passengers towards enplanements, a move that would boost AIP entitlements.