Cantwell Reports Show Transportation Funding Cuts by State

Senate Commerce ranking member Maria Cantwell released state-by-state reports on the effects of expired federal infrastructure funding.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Transportation

Cantwell Reports Show Transportation Funding Cuts by State

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Should Congress restore federal transportation funding cut for states, even at higher cost?

Sen. Maria Cantwell released reports detailing how the expiration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has cut federal transportation funding to each state. States faced an immediate reduction of more than 30% after the law expired on Sept. 30.

Why it matters

Congress extended surface transportation programs until Dec. 11 but left out the IIJA's advance appropriations, leaving some programs unfunded. Lawmakers must decide whether to craft a new five-year bill or extend funding further.

The IIJA contract funding totals $476.2 billion, with $156 billion in general fund advance appropriations over five years now omitted from the continuing resolution. The House committee's $580 billion Build America 250 Act has passed committee but not yet been enacted.

The players

Maria Cantwell

Cantwell is the Democratic senator from Washington and ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, known for her work on transportation and technology policy.

The details

Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released reports covering formula and grant cuts across aviation, railroads and other sectors. Congress passed continuing resolution HR 6500 in September, extending programs by providing pro-rated contract authority based on 2026 appropriations, but no funding is currently available for the Bridge Formula Program.

Sept. 30: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expired and states faced immediate funding cuts.
September 2026: Congress passed continuing resolution HR 6500.
May 2026: The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee passed the $580 billion Build America 250 Act.
Dec. 11: The transportation funding extension expires.

Roadmap

The lapse of the IIJA leaves the five-year federal infrastructure framework that followed the 2021 law without its scheduled advance funding. Whether Congress replaces it in the lame duck session will shape federal transportation budgets for years.

States such as California, Texas and New York face large formula funding cuts, and projects relying on federal transportation dollars may be delayed. Residents should watch for state transportation budget adjustments as federal funding levels are settled.

The takeaway

Federal transportation funding now depends on whether Congress acts before Dec. 11, and states should plan for possible delays in infrastructure projects. Readers can track the Build America 250 Act as the primary vehicle for a long-term funding solution.