Welcome to the first issue of the Rouzer Roadmap, a policy-focused newsletter for those tracking the issues impacting transportation and infrastructure throughout America.
This past Congress, under the leadership of Chairman Sam Graves, the Committee was able to deliver historic policy wins despite razor thin margins in the House. Then Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Rouzer was proud to work with Chairman Graves to pass the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which authorized more than 200 new feasibility studies for locally proposed projects and 22 final authorization approvals for projects that have received a final report to Congress from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit in the 119th Congress, Congressman Rouzer looks forward to building on that success as we begin the process of reauthorizing our federal surface transportation programs. If you have any questions, comments, or topics you would like to see covered, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely, Team Rouzer
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In July, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on the oversight of the Department of Transportation's policies and programs and how Congress can better support the USDOT accomplish their goals for this administration. Congressman Rouzer commends Secretary Duffy for his leadership and providing thoughtful insight into the challenges facing the USDOT. It’s clear Secretary Duffy understands both the obstacles and the opportunities ahead, as well as the important role Congress can play in supporting meaningful reform. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Duffy, House Republicans will roll back burdensome, woke Biden-era requirements, cut red tape, improve the safety and efficiency of our roadways, and create a strong Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act.
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Watch Congressman Rouzer and Secretary Duffy's exchange on July 16, 2025 above.
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One Big Beautiful Bill is Signed into Law
President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) into law on the Fourth of July. The historic bill provides tax relief for middle and working-class families as well as small businesses, and our farm families. Additionally, it is the largest investment in border security and our national defense in a generation. It reins in reckless spending, cuts waste, fraud, and abuse and unleashes American energy dominance, all of which will help spur economic growth.
The Committee on Transportation on Infrastructure saw major wins in the OBBB: - Allocates $24.6 billion to the U.S. Coast Guard for investments that will bolster border and national security
- Allocates $12.5 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin modernizing our air traffic control technology
- Cuts wasteful spending with rescissions of Green New Deal put in place by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
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The PERMIT Act Passed in Committee
With Congressman David Rouzer's (NC-07) support, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced commonsense and targeted permitting reform legislation to cut red tape, streamline review procedures, and enhance regulatory clarity under the Clean Water Act (CWA). H.R. 3898, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act included three bills introduced by Congressman Rouzer. These commonsense reforms are designed to increase permitting efficiency by providing more predictable guidance for applicants and clearer standards for permitting agencies as well as close loopholes unrelated to water quality that are often utilized to derail projects. Legislation was also included in the package directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to eliminate its backlog of jurisdictional determinations and pending applications for Clean Water Act Section 404 dredge and fill permits. These backlogs have caused frustration and project delays for many in NC-07 and across the country. This package is a more expansive version of the Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act, a similar package led by Rep. Rouzer in the 118th Congress when he served as Chairman of Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee. |
Click the picture to listen to Congressman Rouzer's remarks from Committee markup.
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Details on Congressman Rouzer's legislation 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 regarding several areas where challenges have risen against the well-established process. |
This past Spring, Congressman Rouzer wrote an op-ed for the Washington Times titled, "Paving the Path Forward: The Crucial Role of the Highway Bill in America's Future." The Washington Times released a special Transportation and Infrastructure issue, including columns from several Representatives and Senators sharing their prospectives and respective priorities for the 119th Congress.
Below is an excerpt from Chairman Rouzer’s op-ed: President Donald Trump has laid out his vision for a “New Golden Age of America.” With President Trump in office and Republican majorities (although very slim!) in the House and Senate, we have an opportunity to deliver strategic investments in our traditional infrastructure and improve safety and reliability, all while deploying federal funding in the efficient manner that taxpayers deserve. The right investments in our roads, bridges, and highways are absolutely vital to our local economies and our competitiveness worldwide. Investments in these traditional infrastructure projects have the added benefit of generating and returning tax revenue back to the U.S. Treasury. These projects also provide opportunities for hardworking Americans. Every investment we make in our nation’s infrastructure spurs job creation and helps facilitate seamless movement that bolsters our economic standing worldwide.
Across the country, many bridges, roads, and highways need repair or replacement, and these critical projects must be addressed. This is not just about infrastructure. It is about protecting the millions of Americans who rely on these essential connections every single day. To further this effort, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been traveling across the country, identifying national needs and bringing valuable insights back to Washington. With these firsthand assessments, we are committed to creating a safer, more efficient, and more resilient transportation network for the future.
Read the full op-ed here.
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Earlier this year, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure requested legislative proposals from stakeholders as we begin efforts to reauthorize our Nation’s surface transportation programs. So far, we have received more than 6,000-Member office requests and more than 5,000 stakeholder submissions. In November 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L.117-58). Contained within IIJA were measures that reauthorized a number of our Nation’s surface transportation programs, including those primarily within the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. The law reauthorized surface transportations programs at the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), including but not limited to programs at the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the behavioral safety programs at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through Fiscal Year 2026. These programs will once again be up for reauthorization in the 119th Congress. The Committee has held nine hearings so far during this Congress focused on Surface Reauthorization, five of which Congressman Rouzer has chaired. We are working to make the surface reauthorization bill a more traditional reauthorization bill, avoiding extensions and through the committee process, regular order, and full House consideration.
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American Road and Transportation Builders Association Conference
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Congressman Rouzer joined David Bauer, president and CEO of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, at the association's annual Public Private Partnerships (P3s) in Transportation Conference. It is always a privilege for Congressman Rouzer to join leaders and innovators who understand that smart infrastructure investments, including P3s, are key to driving economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring America remains competitive. He’s grateful for the opportunity to share House Republican’s commitment to reducing red tape, empowering local and private sector expertise, and fostering a transportation system that serves taxpayers efficiently and effectively.
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U.S. Department of Transportation Surface Reauthorization: America is Building Again
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Congressman Rouzer was a guest speaker at Secretary Sean Duffy's event at the USDOT headquarters in Washington, D.C. Along with Congressman Rouzer and Secretary Duffy, USDOT Deputy Secretary Steven Bradbury, and T&I Chairman Sam Graves addressed a room full of industry stakeholders, including state department of transportation secretaries from across the country.
You can watch the full event here.
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Earlier this year, Congressman Rouzer helped celebrate Rex & Sons RVs founded by his good friend, Rex Creech, at the grand opening of Rex and Sons RVs new, larger location in Castle Hayne, NC. Rex founded the RV company in 1997. The new facility is more than double the size of the former location, which is now in a 17,000-square-foot facility.
Congratulations to the Creech family!
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