If lawmakers do not agree on dedicated FY 2022 funding, many programs designed to bolster economic recovery and support critical state, territory, and local infrastructure projects will be unnecessarily delayed or severely hampered.
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
United States House of Representatives
The Honorable Charles E. Schumer
Majority Leader
United States Senate
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Republican Leader
United States House of Representatives
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Republican Leader
United States Senate
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader Schumer and Leader McConnell:
On behalf of the nation’s state, territory, and local governments, we strongly urge Congress to swiftly pass appropriations for fiscal year 2022.
If lawmakers do not agree on dedicated FY 2022 funding, many programs, including those authorized by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA/P.L. 117-58), will be constrained by last year’s levels. Many programs designed to bolster economic recovery and support critical state, territory, and local infrastructure projects will be unnecessarily delayed or severely hampered.
For example, without action from Congress, states, territories, local governments, and public transit agencies will be unable to access the IIJA’s roughly 20 percent funding increase for highway formula programs and more than 30 percent increase for public transit formula programs, along with any new transportation initiatives that Congress provided for in the IIJA. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation has estimated that roughly $45 billion in competitive resources provided for in the first year of the IIJA will go unrealized should Congress fail to enact a federal spending law for FY 2022.
We urge lawmakers to negotiate in good faith to advance FY 2022 spending legislation and instill confidence in our residents as we navigate through the ongoing pandemic. The IIJA represents a historic investment in our nation’s infrastructure, and Congress must ensure that these new resources are made available to state, territory, and local governments as intended under the law.
Sincerely,
Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director, The United States Conference of Mayors
Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities
Matthew D. Chase, CEO/Executive Director, National Association of Counties
Marc Ott, Executive Director, International City/County Management Association
David Adkins, Executive Director/CEO, The Council of State Governments
Bill McBride, Executive Director, National Governors Association
Tim Storey, Executive Director, National Conference of State Legislatures
