I think one of the criticisms that we have heard...is the idea of when the grants are actually announced and when they are obligated or implemented.

I think it would be good food, good thought here to--would you get back with me and let me know about these grants and how many of those grants, these grants that people are applying for, are going to the 509 counties?

I also have cosponsored the Simplifying Grants Act, which would require Government agencies to simplify the difficult process.

There is never enough money from the Federal Government when it comes to transportation funding.

This represents 30 percent of the total funding provided by the IIJA.

the actual increase of the formula distribution in IIJA was not even enough to fully cover the cost of inflation.

How would making these programs mandatory or formula-based impact planning for large-scale projects?

I know a lot of folks who were excited about the infrastructure bill and the suggestion that it was going to provide increased funds for things like roads and bridges.

If we had a say in the final bill, we probably wouldn't have had so many discretionary grant programs.

DOT has risen to the occasion to get this money into the hands of communities by issuing nearly 90 Notices of Funding Opportunity.

Congress provided 30 percent of this amount, about $196 billion, to be distributed through 72 competitive grant programs.

The law provides record-breaking funding for critical infrastructure projects.

I never ran into a State DOT director who didn't want more formula money.

the drawn-out timeline for MARAD and DOT during the grant obligation process...forces recipients to adjust their scopes due to inflation.

We are here today to discuss the discretionary grant programs at the Department of Transportation and to hear firsthand from stakeholders about their experiences with the Department's grant processes.

The IIJA has provided more money for infrastructure of all kinds, including transportation, than ever, ever before in the history of this Government.

it is a Trojan horse that undermines Fish and Wildlife funding.

the $320 million, that is essentially Monopoly money.