Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy faced pointed questions from lawmakers during a recent Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, as Congress begins early discussions for the next Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. Amid mounting concerns over delays in federal infrastructure grants, Duffy defended his agency’s approach while pledging to keep projects moving forward.

Lawmakers Press for Action as Funding Renewal Looms

The backdrop of the hearing was the looming expiration of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which added $550 billion in new spending over previous levels and reauthorized key transportation and infrastructure programs through September 2026. While the law has significantly improved the condition of roads, bridges, and transit systems, experts argue that continued investment is essential to keep pace with national needs.

“Infrastructure is not partisan,” Duffy told the committee. “We all use roads and bridges in blue and red states, and I’m committed to making sure we have a nonpartisan view as we move money.”

Grant Review Pause Raises Eyebrows

Much of the hearing centered on the recent pause in grant processing at the Department of Transportation. Lawmakers voiced frustration over already-approved projects being placed on hold due to a review process initiated by the Trump administration’s “Unleashing American Energy” executive order. The directive requires agencies to scrutinize infrastructure projects for references to climate change, environmental justice, and equity — elements often emphasized under the previous administration.

Duffy defended the move, saying it aligns with President Trump’s goal to eliminate “woke policies” and reduce regulatory burdens that can drive up project costs and timelines.

“If you’re putting on additional requirements with regard to green or social justice, well that drives up the cost of a project,” Duffy explained. “That takes a project a longer timeframe in which to complete.”

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said that some of his state’s delayed projects have since resumed. But not all senators were reassured. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., reported that key California projects are still frozen, and Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., expressed concern over disruptions in his state — specifically pointing to delays with the 22nd Street Bridge replacement in Tucson.

In response, Duffy insisted that the department is not stopping projects from moving forward. He explained that obligated funds are still being disbursed and emphasized the department’s growing workload.

“Grant agreements are the work. I will get through that, but it will take me some time,” he said. “We’re expeditiously moving through those grants and making sure we have funding for that which has been awarded.”

While Duffy did not clarify whether grant awards that have not yet been finalized could be reversed, he pledged to uphold congressional intent: “I’m not going to hold up any projects.”

Calls for Permitting Reform Gain Bipartisan Momentum

Beyond the grant delays, Republican senators took aim at long-standing permitting challenges, pointing to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and similar rules as key sources of delay in infrastructure development.

Duffy signaled strong support for reform in this area, saying the regulatory framework has become “a weight around our neck as we try to build infrastructure.”

“We are going to work on NEPA reform in this administration,” Duffy said. “I think there is bipartisan support to do reform in this space so we can move projects faster and more cheaply.”

He also backed legislation proposed by Sen. Sullivan that would exempt bridges being rebuilt in the same location from NEPA review, saying, “100%.”

Shifting Power to the States

In line with Trump-era goals of decentralization, Duffy voiced enthusiasm for empowering states to take the lead on infrastructure projects. He suggested that states are better equipped to move projects quickly and more efficiently than the federal government.

“What is important for the [Transportation] Department is to streamline the process for the states, to take off as much weight as possible so they can build faster and spend more time turning dirt and less time doing paperwork,” Duffy said. “We’ve been trying to move more authority to states, because they move projects faster than have happened when going through the federal government.”

Looking Ahead

While no specific funding targets were floated during the hearing, the consensus among lawmakers and Duffy alike was clear: the U.S. must continue to prioritize infrastructure. As Congress begins to shape the next major transportation bill, debates over funding, environmental policy, and the pace of project delivery are expected to intensify — with Duffy’s department at the center of it all.

Originally reported by Julie Strupp in Construction Dive.