Congress will reauthorize the federal surface transportation program, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, before it expires on September 30. The legislation governs federal investment in highways, transit, freight and aviation infrastructure and will shape funding levels and policy direction for the next several years. For large metropolitan regions like Houston, those decisions directly influence economic competitiveness, mobility and supply chain performance.
The Greater Houston Partnership is collaborating with peer organizations through the Metro Civic Leadership Alliance to advocate for predictable, long-term, multimodal investment. The alliance represents regions comprising nearly one-quarter of the U.S. population and 30% of national GDP and is focused on ensuring federal policy reflects the economic role of major metros.
The Greater Houston region generates nearly $700 billion in annual GDP and serves as a global hub for energy, life sciences, manufacturing and logistics. Port Houston leads the nation in total waterborne tonnage and anchors a freight network that includes highways, rail, ports and pipelines connecting businesses to global markets. Sustained federal investment in freight infrastructure is critical to maintaining efficiency and resilience across these systems.
Houston is also home to two major international airports, George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby, which together move tens of millions of passengers annually and anchor our region’s global connectivity. Continued federal support for large capital aviation programs and surface connections to major airport hubs is critical to strengthening trade, tourism and business recruitment.
At the same time, congestion remains a challenge. Houston-area commuters lose significant time each year to traffic delays, impacting productivity, supply chains and quality of life. As the region continues to grow, adding tens of thousands of new residents annually, strategic, flexible federal investment in roads, transit, rail and innovative congestion management tools is essential.
Through reauthorization, Congress can modernize project delivery, strengthen transit and rail systems, support freight and aviation infrastructure and ensure funding formulas reflect economic output and population growth. The Partnership will continue working with the region’s federal delegation to advance policies that align with Houston’s infrastructure and competitiveness priorities.
Learn more about the Partnership’s federal advocacy efforts and transportation priorities.