FY22 Omnibus Package includes more than $16 billion for transit, more than $3 billion for rail

Update 9:30 pm 3/10/2022: The Senate passed the FY22 Omnibus Package on March 10; the bill will now head to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. 

After a series of short-term funding bills and months of negotiations, the appropriations committees in the House and Senate released a bicameral Omnibus Package that includes $16.3 billion for transit and $3.3 billion for passenger and freight rail in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies section of the proposal. If passed, the $1.5 trillion appropriations bill would fund the government through Sept. 30, 2022.

“I am so proud of this government funding legislation, which delivers transformative federal investments to help lower the cost of living for working families, create American jobs and provide a lifeline for the vulnerable,” said House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3). “During this time of great uncertainty and change, we are tackling some of our nation’s biggest challenges, including making health care more affordable, confronting the climate crisis and protecting our national security.”

The House voted to pass the bill late Wednesday night and it now heads to the Senate. The House also passed a short-term spending measure to ensure funding levels remained through March 15. A previously passed continuing resolution funding the government was set to expire March 11 and there was concern the Senate would not have enough time to vote on the bill and get it to the president’s desk for a signature in the remaining time.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) added, “It is unquestionably in the interest of the American people that the House and the Senate act quickly to pass this bill and send it to the president.”

Elected officials say the proposal invests in transit state of good repair and is consistent with the policy included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The bill would provide the U.S. Department of Transportation with $102.9 billion - a $16.2 billion increase above FY21 enacted funding and $15.9 billion about president’s budget request. It also contains significant bumps in funding for passenger rail and transit.

“We are encouraged to see the House honor the promise of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by providing the guaranteed public transit funding of the IIJA for Fiscal Year 2022,” said American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “This is a transformational investment in public transportation infrastructure that our country so desperately needs. Together with the additional funds provided for public transit and passenger rail, these historic and generational investments will enable our communities to provide access to opportunities and create family-wage jobs, advance equity, tackle climate change and meet growing and evolving mobility demands.”

The highlights of what is included within the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (H.R. 2471):

• $775 million for National Infrastructure Investments (RAISE grants, formerly BUILD/TIGER) where at least $20 million is awarded to assist areas of persistent poverty and historically disadvantaged communities; and an additional $25 million has been included for USDOT’s Thriving Communities initiative;
• Federal Railroad Administration - $3.3 billion, which includes
•  $625 million for Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grants; with at least $150 million awarded to new intercity passenger rail routes; $25 million awarded to counties with the most pedestrian trespasser casualties and $120.9 million for community project funding/congressionally directed spending
•  $100 million for intercity passenger rail grants
•  $2.3 billion for Amtrak, consisting of $874.5 million for the Northeast Corridor and $1.45 billion for the National Network
• Federal Transit Administration - $16.3 billion, which includes
•  $13.4 billion for transit formula grants
•  $2.25 billion for Capital Investment Grants Program
•  $504.3 million for Transit Infrastructure Grants and projects.
•   $175 million for Buses and Bus Facilities grants
•   $75 million for Low or No Emission grants
•   $6.5 million for Ferry Boat grants with at least $3.25 million awarded for low or zero-emission ferries
•   $12.97 million for ferry service for rural communities
•   $200.8 million for community project funding/congressionally directed spending

APTA explains the bill’s language blocks the Rostenkowski Test that could have resulted in formula funding cuts to transit agencies had the Rostenkowski Test remained active.

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What community project funding/congressionally directed spending and what projects are included in the FY22 Omnibus Package? We’ve got you covered with this companion story.

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Story updated 11:20 am to incorporate statement from APTA CEO.