District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6950

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-07: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2026-06-16T12:43:09Z

AI-Generated Summary

District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act (H.R. 6950)

Purpose

This bill aims to ensure the District of Columbia (DC) is treated equally to U.S. states when applying for certain federal transportation grants. It addresses funding disparities by amending parts of U.S. law (title 49 of the United States Code) to include DC in eligibility for programs related to public transit, infrastructure, and road safety.

Key Provisions

• Bus Formula Grants (Section 2): Modifies Section 5339(a)(1) of title 49, U.S. Code, to explicitly include DC alongside states for grants that fund bus purchases and related facilities. This involves adding "and the District of Columbia" in one clause and removing it from another to clarify eligibility.
• Apportionments for Growing and High-Density Areas (Section 3): Updates Section 5340(a) of title 49, U.S. Code, to include DC in formulas that allocate federal transit funds based on population growth and urban density.
• National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grants (Section 4): Amends Section 6703(c)(1) of title 49, U.S. Code, to allow DC to apply for grants aimed at improving water flow under roads by removing or upgrading culverts (drainage structures).
• Safe Streets and Roads for All Grants (Section 5): Revises Section 24112(a)(2)(B) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (added to 23 U.S.C. 402) to include DC in a program that funds projects to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries through safer road designs.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill makes targeted edits to federal transportation statutes that previously either excluded DC or treated it separately from the 50 states. By inserting phrases like "and the District of Columbia" or "including the District of Columbia," it removes barriers to DC's participation, aligning its status with states for these specific grant programs without altering broader definitions of "state" elsewhere in the law.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) would need to adjust grant allocation formulas and application processes to include DC, potentially redistributing a small portion of funds from other recipients. This could streamline administration by standardizing DC's treatment.
• On Citizens: DC residents would gain better access to federal funding for public buses, urban transit, culvert improvements (reducing flood risks), and road safety projects, leading to enhanced transportation infrastructure and safer travel.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. funding.
• Overall, it promotes equity in federal spending for a densely populated area with over 700,000 residents, though total funding shifts may be limited due to the bill's narrow scope.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• DC Government and Residents: Primary beneficiaries, as they would qualify for additional federal grants to support local transit and infrastructure needs.
• U.S. Department of Transportation: Responsible for implementing changes and managing grant distributions.
• Other States and Localities: Indirectly affected, as any reallocation of funds could slightly reduce available grants for high-growth or dense areas elsewhere, though the effect is likely minimal given DC's size.
• Environmental and Safety Advocates: Could see benefits from expanded culvert and road safety programs in DC.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The amendments respect DC's status as a federal district (not a state under the U.S. Constitution) by making narrow, program-specific changes rather than a wholesale redefinition. This avoids broader legal challenges while advancing funding parity.
• Constitutional: Highlights ongoing tensions from Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which gives Congress exclusive authority over DC; the bill exercises this by extending federal benefits without granting statehood.
• Political: Reinforces debates on DC's representation and equity in federal programs, potentially serving as a step toward greater autonomy for the district without addressing voting rights in Congress. It maintains neutrality by focusing solely on transportation funding.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-07: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2026-01-06: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2026-01-06: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-06: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E4)
• 2026-01-06: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act — issued 2026-01-06 — PDF (2 pages)