Congress funds airport ground-transportation projects nationwide.

What it does

This bill creates a $1 billion per year federal grant program (2027–2031) for surface transportation projects that connect to airports—highways, bridges, public transit, and rail. States, tribes, and local governments can apply; the Secretary of Transportation must allocate at least 50% to large hub airports and 30% to medium hub airports. Projects must reduce congestion, expand capacity, or improve access within 5 miles of an airport.

Why we flagged it

The bill establishes a straightforward federal grant program for airport-connected surface transportation projects. It is a standard appropriations and grant-distribution mechanism with no hidden provisions or private carve-outs.

What the text implies

• The 5-mile radius around airports may capture projects in surrounding communities that benefit from improved access but are not directly airport-dependent, potentially broadening the program's scope beyond strict airport connectivity.
• Allowance of passenger facility charges (airport fees) as non-federal match may shift some project funding burden to airline passengers and airport users rather than general taxpayers.
• The program's focus on large and medium hub airports (80% of funds) may leave small and non-hub airports with limited access to federal support for ground-transportation improvements.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

The bill funds public infrastructure (roads, transit, rail) that reduces airport congestion and improves access for ordinary travelers and communities near airports. The 50/30 allocation rule ensures major airports receive priority, and the program is open to all eligible public entities—no private carve-outs or liability shields. The cost-share mechanism allows use of existing federal credit programs and airport fees, reducing local burden.

Who stands to gain

• construction and engineering firms (highway, bridge, transit, rail projects)
• public transit agencies
• state and local transportation departments
• rail operators

Named in the bill

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Secretary of Transportation, States, Indian Tribes, local governments, Public airports (large hub, medium hub, small hub, non-hub), Highway Trust Fund, TIFIA (Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act), Passenger Facility Charges (PFC)

Where it stands

5 cosponsors: 4 Democrats, 1 Republicans.

• Jun 5, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Jun 5, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Money around this bill

6 lobbying clients named this bill on 8 disclosure filings across 2 quarters, Dec 2025 to Jun 2026. Those filings disclosed $2,847,301 in lobbying spend. A filing names 15 bills on average, so that figure is what each filing reported, not a share belonging to this bill.

More lobbying clients named this bill than 82% of bills with at least one filing.

Steve Cohen, the sponsor, reported $315,000 in PAC receipts in the 2026 cycle. $7,500 of that came from 1 PAC tied to these lobbying clients.

• American Association of Airport Executives — $1,172,100 on 1 filing
• Airports Council International -- North America — $775,201 on 1 filing
• Southwest Airlines — $760,000 on 2 filings
• Memphis-shelby County Airport Authority — $100,000 on 2 filings
• City of Austin — $20,000 on 1 filing

Lobbying Disclosure Act filings through Jul 20, 2026. A filing shows who paid to lobby on a bill it names, not what changed.