Sponsors (2)
The bill reduces federal spending and clarifies funding rules by blocking federal funds for many streetcar projects—saving some federal dollars and reducing uncertainty for other modes—at the cost of removing a funding source that could limit urban transit options, harm transit-dependent riders, and shift costs to localities.
Taxpayers: federal funds will be blocked from many streetcar projects, reducing federal spending on projects some view as costly and potentially freeing funds for other priorities.
State and local governments: the bill provides clearer federal guidance restricting use of federal funds on streetcar projects, reducing uncertainty about grant eligibility and helping planning for other transportation modes.
Cities and transit agencies: will lose a federal funding source for building or operating streetcars, limiting local transit options and reducing planning flexibility for urban transportation networks.
Transit-dependent riders and urban residents: may face reduced mobility options if planned streetcar services cannot proceed without federal grants, worsening access to jobs and services for those who rely on transit.
Local taxpayers and governments: may need to replace lost federal funding with higher local taxes or cuts/delays to other projects, increasing costs for residents or slowing other infrastructure investments.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits use of specified federal surface transportation and transit grant funds for procurement, operation, or maintenance of streetcars.
Prohibits the use of certain federal surface transportation and transit grant funds for streetcars. The bill bars apportioned or grant funds from being spent on procurement, operation, or maintenance of streetcars under the Surface Transportation Block Grant program, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program, Urbanized Area Formula Grants, and the Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grant program. The change removes these specific uses from federally funded grant options, which could reduce or eliminate federal support for new or existing streetcar projects and shift costs or planning choices to local and state governments and transit providers.
Introduced June 6, 2025 by Scott Perry · Last progress June 6, 2025