WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Greg Stanton is seeking immediate clarification from the Acting Secretary of the Department of Transportation Judith Kaleta after President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, “Unleashing American Energy,” which directs federal agencies to bypass federal law and withhold Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds.
Stanton is the only Arizonan to serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
The letter is HERE and below.
---
Acting Secretary Kaleta:
I write today to seek immediate clarification on President Trump’s Executive Order “Unleashing American Energy.” If taken at face value, the broad language in this order would withhold federal funding for critical infrastructure projects already underway in states across the country and here in Arizona–projects like the expansion of the I-10 south of Phoenix, investments in Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway Airports, and necessary upgrades to Arizona's water infrastructure.
Section 7 of this broad order reads: “All agencies shall immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169) or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), including but not limited to funds…” Analysis by the nonpartisan think tank Eno Center for Transportation indicates that if “disbursement” refers to outlays, it would mean the “immediate shutdown” of many ongoing bridge projects.
Many projects funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are underway right now. For example, back home in Arizona construction crews are working to widen the I-10 south of Phoenix with the promise of $95 million in federal funding. This project was a bipartisan priority – businesses leaders and elected officials at all levels of government, from rural, urban and Tribal areas all coming together to push this over the finish line. But without clarification of what this order means, the Federal Highways Administration – which entered into an agreement with the state of Arizona – could decline to reimburse the state for costs incurred. If that worst case scenario happens, it would leave state governments on the hook for billions in materials and labor.
We cannot let a stroke of a pen undo years of bipartisan work to better America’s infrastructure. Federal agencies and state and local leaders need immediate clarification, and I look forward to your response to this urgent request.