Transportation

Reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund - fund to support boating and fishing infrastructure, safety, and restoration via several funding sources, primarily fuel tax paid by boaters.

Enforcement of the Training Provider Registry within FMCSA's Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Rule, removal of the self-certification process to enter the Training Provider Registry, and oversight to increase that enforcement. Continuation of the SDAP Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program and the DRIVE SAFE Act; advocacy to increase and extend funding for the CMVOST program. Advocacy to have Congress increase the enforcement of the Entry-Level Driver Training Rules through statutory action related to the forthcoming Surface Reauthorization.

Protect Medicaid that supports transportation funding in budget/reconciliation.

United Spinals SecureRide Coalition advocated for the wheelchair securement research study provision in H. R. 7389, the Motor Vehicle Safety Modernization Act. United Spinals SecureRide Coalition met with Department of Transportation officials to advocate for safe and independent wheelchair securement across all modes of transportation. United Spinal, along with other disability advocates from organizations and communities across the United States who are committed to advancing mobility, independence, and full community participation for people with disabilities, wrote to the leadership of the Federal Transit Administration to support the continued modernization of accessible transportation and ADA paratransit services. The letter read in part, Accessible transportation remains one of the most important gateways to opportunity-enabling individuals to travel to employment, education, healthcare, and civic life. United Spinal discussed provisions of H.R.8128, the Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act, with congressional staff. United Spinal, through our SecureRide Coalition discussed disability accessibility issues with the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association ("AVIA") in reference to its statement for the record regarding the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety hearing, "The Need for Speed: How Technological Advances are Driving Transportation Innovation. United Spinal advocated for accessibility provisions to be included in H. R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act. United Spinal advocated for the development of an autonomous wheelchair securement system as a co-lead in our SecureRide Coalition with the Department of Transportation. United Spinal, as a co-lead of our SecureRide Coalition submitted an application to participate in the Department of Transportations SecureRide Coalition's submission Roadway Safety Innovation Expo. United Spinal Associations SecureRide Coalition wrote to the bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and it Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee to support the automated wheelchair securement research provision included in the amendment in the nature of a substitute for H. R. 7389, the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act, filed in advance of the full committee markup on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (ET) as the motor vehicle safety title of the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization measure. The measure addresses a major challenge to fulfilling wheelchair users safe and independent transportation needs. United Spinal, along with numerous other stakeholders wrote to the bipartisan leadership and membership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade to voice our support for the progress made on the SELF DRIVE Act, which was introduced by Representative Bob Latta. The letter read in part, the SELF DRIVE Act would help ensure that millions of Americans are able to access the benefits of autonomous vehicles (A Vs), which provide safer roads, greater supply chain resilience, create new economic and enhanced accessibility opportunities. United Spinal submitted comments to the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration supporting Zooxs petition for a temporary exemption from various requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for an automated driving system (ADS) - equipped vehicle, Docket No. NHTSA-2025-0523. The comments read in part, We recognize that achieving these benefits requires careful attention to accessibility standards, inclusive design, and equal access to purpose-built wheelchair accessible autonomous vehicle deployment. With proper planning and regulation, Zoox can expand opportunities for independence, employment, healthcare access, and civic and social engagement, thereby improving the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries and other mobility challenges. We respectfully request that you support Zooxs petition, Docket No. NHTSA-2025-0523, to enable the safe, federally supervised commercial operation of its all-electric autonomous vehicles. United Spinal, as a member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force signed onto a letter responding to the request for public comments on the Zoox application for a temporary exemption from various requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for an automated driving system (ADS) - equipped vehicle, NHTSA-2025-0523-0003. The Comments strongly urged, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to compel Zoox to operate a vehicle that is fully accessible for people with disabilities, consistent with the public interest. Given NHTSAs safety mandate and mission, it is essential to integrate accessibility into exemption approvals because it is inextricably linked to the safety of people with disabilities. United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, wrote to the leadership of the Federal Transit Administration leadership about the need for modernizing paratransit services. The letter read in part, In particular, we encourage the FTA to continue advancing regulatory guidance and policy interpretations that support modernization of paratransit services and allow transit agencies to incorporate new mobility solutions-including on-demand service models and partnerships with ride share and TNC providers-into the ADA paratransit ecosystem. Where existing regulatory flexibilities exist, additional clarity and encouragement from the FTA could help agencies confidently expand these models in ways that enhance service for rider. United Spinal advocated for its SecureRide Coalition wheelchair securement standard efforts with Administration for Community Living officials. United Spinal advocated for its SecureRide Coalition wheelchair securement standard efforts with Access Board officials. United Spinal advocated for its SecureRide Coalition wheelchair securement standard efforts with National Council on Disability officials. United Spinal continues to advocate for H.R. 4116, the Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA) Paratransit one stop and data collection pilot program. The bill would establish an extra stop per trip program for passengers using paratransit serves and enhance data collection for paratransit programs to increase accessible transportation for individuals with disabilities.

Issues related to underground utility infrastructure. Issues related to reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration. Issues related to the PIPES Act (H.R. 5301). Issues related to the PIPELINE Safety Act (S.2975). Issues related to the House Energy and Commerce PHMSA Reauthorization Bill.

The FY27 Appropriations process and related infrastructure grant opportunities.

Airports, Transportation Appropriation.

Transportation, Housing and all local government issues.

issues related to passenger rail transportation.

Highway funding, liability reforms, truck parking