Welcome to the third edition of the Rouzer Roadmap, a policy-focused newsletter for those tracking the issues impacting America’s transportation and infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is making steady progress on a surface transportation reauthorization package – legislation we have been crafting for more than a year. This bill is vital for our roads and bridges, supporting the employers, workers, and families who rely on our infrastructure every day.
Congressman Rouzer would like to thank Chairman Sam Graves for his steadfast leadership and mentorship during his eight years as Republican leader of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Committee has accomplished great things under his leadership as chairman. There is still much more work ahead, and Congressman Rouzer looks forward to continuing their work together as Chairman Graves serves out the remainder of his term.
As always, if you have questions, comments, or topics you would like to see covered, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Dalilah's Law
In March, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure delivered on President Trump's call for Congress to enact 'Dalilah's Law,' named after the 1st-grader who was severely injured in a crash caused by an individual unlawfully in the country. Dalilah's Law strengthens Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements to end the issuance of CDLs to illegal immigrants, those who lack English proficiency, fail road-rule knowledge, or who simply don’t have the skills needed to safely operate CMVs.
Representative Rouzer expressed gratitude to Chairman Graves, Secretary Duffy, and his colleagues for their support and swift action in advancing Dalilah's Law, emphasizing his commitment to continuing efforts to move this bill through the House and Senate to answer President Trump’s call to restore public trust and enhance roadway safety for families nationwide.
Advancing Dalilah’s Law moves the country closer to ensuring safer roads for Dalilah, her family, and all Americans.
Before the committee markup, Chairman Rouzer met with Dalilah Coleman and her family.
ALERT Act
The House passed the bipartisan Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act, by a vote of 396 - 10. The ALERT Act is a comprehensive response to all 50 safety recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board following the tragic American Airlines Flight 5342 crash. This devastating accident claimed 67 lives and left families facing unimaginable loss, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen aviation safety protocols. With Senate passage of the ROTOR Act, legislation must be agreed upon that can pass both chambers.
In March, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously advanced the bill to the House Floor. The ALERT Act provides a data-driven, forward-looking framework to modernize aviation safety and address critical risks identified after the DCA accident. The legislation requires the implementation of next generation collision mitigation and prevention technology and reforms air traffic control processes to address the procedural shortcomings revealed by the crash.
The House passed H.R. 3898, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure (PERMIT) Act, which included three bills introduced by Representative Rouzer. These commonsense reforms will cut red tape, streamline review procedures, and enhance regulatory clarity under the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Representative Rouzer’s legislation included in the PERMIT Act:
Improving Water Quality Certifications and American Energy Infrastructure Act (H.R. 3928): Clarifies process and scope of Section 401 CWA approvals by states are limited to only impacts to water quality to end the weaponization of the water quality certification process to stall critical infrastructure and energy projects.
Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act (H.R. 3824): Eliminates a duplicative regulatory process at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the use of pesticides while maintaining public health and environmental protections.
Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act (H.R. 3927): Codifies longstanding, historical interpretation and practice around the Nationwide Permit (NWP) process and provides clarity in several areas where challenges have risen against the well-established process.
This package is a more expansive version of the Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act, a similar package led by Representative Rouzer in the 118th Congress when he served as Chairman of Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.
Watch Representative Rouzer’s House Floor remarks in favor of the PERMIT Acthere.
Surface Transportation Reauthorization
Our nation’s infrastructure affects the daily lives of all Americans. With many roads and bridges rapidly aging beyond their intended lifespans, reauthorization of our nation's highway programs is essential. Current law (including permitting requirements) often overreaches, diverting resources from core infrastructure needs and stifling innovation. With funding set to expire on September 30, 2026, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization package, also known as the “Highway Bill,” will ensure highway programs focus on critical infrastructure priorities while reducing bureaucratic delays and cutting waste.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure received more than 5,000 policy priority requests from transportation stakeholders and more than 6,000 individual Member requests. This extensive Member-driven input will help shape a package that prioritizes core formula programs while providing states with flexibility, accelerates predictable project delivery, enhances safety for users and workers across highways and public transit, and much more.
The Committee’s goal is to move to markup and House passage soon so negotiations with the Senate can begin as soon as possible with ongoing collaboration from Transportation Secretary Duffy and the White House throughout the process.
Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA)
Looking ahead to the second half of this year, Representative Rouzer is turning his focus to the biennial Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA), a cornerstone of the nation’s water infrastructure policy. WRDA plays a vital role in strengthening navigation and port access, reducing flood risks, supporting beach nourishment, restoring ecosystems, and advancing other critical projects that protect communities and drive regional economic growth.
Since 2014, the committee has advanced WRDA legislation on a strong bipartisan, biennial basis, providing consistency and accountability in how these projects move forward. Just as importantly, WRDA gives Congress the opportunity to weigh in on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ project pipeline, helping align federal action with the needs of the American people.
With a robust legislative calendar for the remainder of 2026, Representative Rouzer looks forward to advancing these commonsense solutions to deliver a safer, more resilient, and more prosperous America.
Founded in Cincinnati in 1895, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the nation’s largest manufacturing trade association, representing approximately 14,000 companies across every industrial sector in all 50 states.
Through their Building to Win initiative, NAM is advancing a national agenda in 2026 centered on strengthening infrastructure, modernizing transportation, and reforming permitting processes. A Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill, paired with comprehensive permitting reform, will be essential to ensure efficient supply chains, expand access to well-paying manufacturing jobs, and enable manufacturers to hire, grow, and compete globally.
Earlier this year, Representative Rouzer joined a panel discussion with NAM’s Transportation and Infrastructure Policy Committee to discuss the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill and its path forward.
Lewie Pugh began his trucking career in 1992 as a motor transport operator in the U.S. Army Reserve. Then he became a company driver in 1994 and transitioned to an owner-operator in 1996, ultimately driving for more than 25 years without an accident!
He joined the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) in 1996 to advocate for small-business truckers. He was elected to the board as an alternate in 2004, seated as a director in 2006, and named Executive Vice President in 2018.
Today, Lewie regularly travels to Washington, DC, to meet with lawmakers (including Representative Rouzer) representing the industry at Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance meetings, and recently testified before the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, highlighting how trucking supports American communities. Lewie Pugh's opening statements.
The Washington Times | Keep America moving with vital infrastructure investments
Chairman Rouzer wrote an op-ed for The Washington Times, "Keep America Moving with Vital Infrastructure Investments," which was included in the special Transportation and Infrastructure issue. The publication included columns from several representatives and senators sharing their infrastructure prospectives and priorities for this Congress.
APTA Passenger Transport | Safety First: Rebuilding Trust in Public Transit
Congressman Rouzer recently wrote an op-ed for American Public Transportation Association (APTA), "Safety First: Rebuilding Trust in Public Transit," about the importance of safe, reliable transit systems across the country.
The Trucker | “Dalilah’s Law” passes House committee
Dalilah's Law is supported by the Owner-Operators Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the American Trucking Associations, Truckload Carriers Association, National Tank Truck Carriers and state trucking associations across the country.
