Bill Authored by Rep. Lipinski and Sen. Duckworth Eliminating Unnecessary Regulation Passes House

Press Release

Today, the House passed the Senate companion of a bill introduced by Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) that nullifies a recent U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule that would have delayed transportation projects, undermined local control, and hurt job growth. The rule, finalized in January, would have had a negative impact locally by requiring the governors and other leaders in Indiana and Wisconsin to approve transportation projects in northeastern Illinois.

The DOT's rule would have required Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) ? groups, such as the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), that are charged with administering federal transportation funding based on a regional long-term planning process ? to consolidate with nearby MPOs or develop a single, unified long-range plan.

"Forcing MPOs to merge with other MPOs in the vicinity, even across state lines, would cause significant delays and disruptions in getting important transportation projects done," stated Rep. Lipinski. "Mayors, planners, and transit agencies from across the country have reached out to me over the past few months to express their opposition to this rule, and it's opposed by every major trade association representing the professionals who staff MPOs around the country."

Lipinski's bill was approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last month. The bill passed today in the House is an identical bill authored by Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth that passed the Senate last month. This action allows the bill to go directly to the President's desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.

"I want to thank Senator Duckworth and my colleagues who co-sponsored this bill," said Lipinski. "With so many local transportation projects that need to get done, it would have made no sense to put another obstacle in the way. I am hopeful that this bipartisan action will pave the way for more cooperation when it comes to fixing our infrastructure."

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