Brownley, Padilla and Feinstein Introduce Legislation to Support 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the U.S.

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced the introduction of the Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act (H.R. 7642), which would prioritize innovative and strategic surface transportation projects and provide planning assistance to U.S. cities hosting the Olympics, Paralympics, or Special Olympics. The bill would support the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games set to take place in Los Angeles, California. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"Everyone in our region is excited to host the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, but we also know that transportation challenges must be tackled head on not only to assist athletes and spectators for the games, but more broadly, to keep traffic and commerce flowing now and in the future for our busy region," said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. "Like with past games, our community needs the support of the U.S. Department of Transportation to ensure that planned infrastructure projects advance in a timely manner. I am pleased to partner with Senator Padilla and Senator Feinstein on this bill, and I will work with them to get this bill to the President's desk quickly and ahead of the 2028 Games."

"While the eyes of the world will be on the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, the work preparing our region for this grand stage is already starting," said Senator Alex Padilla. "The transportation plans made in the coming years will not only make the Olympics and Paralympics run smoothly, but will also be an investment in infrastructure that will benefit commuters and the region for decades to come."

"Los Angeles will welcome the world to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028," said Senator Dianne Feinstein. "Making smart transportation investments now will help the city prepare to host the games, which will provide both short- and long-term benefits for the entire region."

"We're grateful to Senators Padilla and Feinstein and Representative Brownley for their support of safe and sustainable transportation plans for Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympics host cities and attendees," said LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman. "We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with federal and local partners on innovative mobility solutions that will serve residents and visitors before, during and after the 2028 Games."

Specifically, the Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act:

Allows the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to prioritize federal transportation grants for projects relating to an Olympic, Paralympic, or Special Olympics International event;
Directs DOT to take all reasonable efforts to provide planning assistance for Olympic, Paralympic, or Special Olympics International events, including developing intermodal transportation plans and expediting federal review of requests related to such events; and
Allows DOT to provide funding for temporary facilities, equipment, operations, and maintenance that meet the extraordinary needs associated with hosting Olympic, Paralympic, or Special Olympics International events.
Congress passed similar legislation in 1998 to provide transportation assistance to support the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the last Olympic Games to be held in the United States.

The text of the bill can be found here.

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