Yet Another Threat to Federal Funding for Biking and Walking: Reconciliation Puts Grants in Jeopardy

The League often notes that the congressionally established Transportation Alternatives Program is the largest single source of federal funding for bicycling and walking projects across the country. Officially created in 2012 – but with roots traced back to 1991– we’ve successfully pushed for increases in available funding and it’s grown from delivering around $800 million per year in 2014 to offering $1.2 billion in 2023 for state and local bicycling and walking priorities. 

One of our top federal priorities is ensuring that growth continues and there are no cuts to TAP this year or in future transportation reauthorization bills. And we continue to monitor how the fallout from Secretary Duffy’s recent letter may impact TAP. 

The good news is that there are other sources of federal funding for road safety projects that include bicycling and walking safety infrastructure. The bad news is that these other sources, like Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants, are also under threat. 

While the legality of the executive branch’s threats to SS4A and TAP remain in question, this week Congress is the branch putting billions of dollars of investments into communities at risk. 

The Neighborhood Access and Equity Act (NAE), created by Congress in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, made $3.1 billion available for local projects that mitigate barriers dividing communities, reconnect those communities through safe bicycling and walking, and address environmental justice issues like urban heat islands. 

On April 30, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) voted along party lines to rescind all unobligated funding in the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program, including grants that had already been awarded, as part of the budget reconciliation process. The analysts at Transportation for America estimate that 75% of awards are unobligated. Here is a map of projects that would be eliminated by the House’s bill:

Several Democrats on the committee offered amendments to save the NAE funding, but – despite grassroots bike advocates’ outreach – every proposal was voted down with all Republicans voting no and all Democrats present voting yes.

This is just the first step in the House T&I committee and larger congressional budget reconciliation process – there is still time to save NAE funding. Read T4’s blog for more wonky details about the reconciliation process »

How We Can Act to Save NAE Funding 

Per congressional procedure, the House T&I bill will next go to the full House for a floor vote. We expect that vote to fall along party lines, as well. Then the bill will head to the Senate, which will take up their own priorities. That’s where we can next apply pressure. 

The League will be asking you to join us in putting pressure on senators to exclude cuts to NAE in their version of the reconciliation bill when it comes up in committee. We’ll be working with our partners in Washington and on the ground to identify NAE projects at risk and highlight those potentially lost investments and impacts in the local media. (Know of a project in your area? Contact us at communications[at]bikeleague.org!) 

What You Can Do Right Now 

Reach out to your representatives who offered supportive amendments or voted in favor of preserving NAE funding. 

Here’s a rundown of NAE and biking-related amendments: 

• Del. Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) amendment to prohibit DOT secretary from rescind neighborhood grant awards issued under the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant program. Failed 30-36.
• Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ari.) amendment to preserve NAE funding for tribal safety improvement projects. Failed by voice vote.
• Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) amendment to appropriate $30 million for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. Failed by voice vote.
• Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Calif.) amendment to prohibit DOT secretary from rescinding state local grant funding that would degrade pedestrian or bicycle safety. Failed 30-36
• Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Calif.) amendment to prevent DOT Secretary from rescinding grant funds. Failed by voice vote.
• Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.) amendment to remove the subsection repealing funding for the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program. Failed 30-36.
• Rep. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.) amendment to provide $5 billion for the Highway Safety Improvement Program. Failed by voice vote.
• Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) amendment to prohibit DOT secretary from using birth and marriage rates for the purposes of deciding agency grant recipients. Failed by voice vote.