Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, the Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led a hearing aimed at developing the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill in Washington, D.C. The hearing included the participation of Sean Duffy, Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation.

Chairman Capito outlined principles for the anticipated legislation, inviting collaboration from the Trump administration and Secretary Duffy. This session marks the first in a series of hearings focused on the reauthorization effort.

In her opening statement, Capito emphasized the goal of improving transportation efficiency while addressing the diverse needs of all states. "Every state has transportation needs and stands to benefit from the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill," she stated.

Highlighting specific projects in West Virginia, such as the Coalfields Expressway and Corridor H, Capito stressed the importance of linking communities to essential services. “This legislation provides the funding and establishes the policies and programs that enable the improvement of the surface transportation network that we all so rely on," Capito remarked.

Capito's principles for the bill emphasize safety, efficiency, and flexibility. She noted the need to reduce duplicative federal programs and streamline processes. “Principle One: Improving the safety and reliability of America’s surface transportation network with impactful investments,” she declared.

Capito expressed the necessity of addressing federal red tape that slows project completion. "We all want to deliver transportation benefits faster and save money for American taxpayers," she said.

Similarly, Capito advocated for allowing states to tailor projects to their specific needs. "The bill can support our common goals while ensuring that federal regulations, programs, and policies recognize the different needs in our states," she mentioned.

Capito called for bipartisan collaboration on the bill to meet the deadline before the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) expires in September 2026. "We must be pragmatic, and work in a bipartisan way, as we have in the past," Capito urged.

Expressing gratitude, Capito acknowledged Duffy's contributions and the department’s support. "I look forward to learning more about those priorities," she noted.

Concluding her remarks, Capito hailed the opportunity to positively impact the U.S. transportation network. "This is an excellent opportunity ahead of us to make a pivotal impact in our surface transportation network," she concluded.