WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), and Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41) launched the Future of Transportation Caucus, which will be dedicated to creating a vision for the future of our transportation system that emphasizes equity, access, and sustainability. The caucus formally launched this morning and will feature a standing series of briefings and forums to generate awareness and policy discussions including sustainability, safety, and improved connectivity for all communities.

“For years, transportation systems in the Massachusetts 7th and across the country have perpetuated disparities – forcing many of our low-income neighbors to pay more, endure long commutes, and lose pay and family time,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “With our current transportation infrastructure entrenched as one of the largest sources of carbon emissions, it is critical that we support multi-modal transportation options like cycling, rapid speed transit, and walking. The Future of Transportation Caucus will bring together experts, activists and policy makers to advance federal transportation and infrastructure policies that prioritize community connectivity so that every community has access to the critical housing, education, employment and health services necessary to thrive.”

 

“For too long, conversations about transportation and infrastructure have focused too much on funding and not enough on policy,” said Congressman García. “We have decades-old policies that inadequately address climate change and the shifting realities of Americans’ commute to and from home, work, and school. Our current systems leave out communities of color, contribute to congestion and disrepair, and fail to respond to disruptive technologies and the climate crisis. Chicago is the nation’s transportation hub – home to America’s largest rail network, including freight, commuter, and intercity, commercial waterways, major interstates, and the nation’s busiest airport. That’s why I’m excited to launch the Future of Transportation Caucus with Representatives Pressley, Takano and others – to challenge the status quo, promote equity, access, and sustainability, and build the kind of cities people want and can afford to live in.”

 

“Neighborhoods and cities are rapidly evolving across our country, yet our approaches to the biggest challenges in transportation have failed to keep up with modern demands,” said Congressman Takano. “I see this reality in my very own community. Inefficient public transit, broken roads, and congested freeways are symptoms of a model that doesn’t work for everyday Americans. We need to reimagine our approaches and solutions to create a transportation system that focuses on equity, accessibility, and sustainability. The Future of Transportation Caucus plans to address these challenges and more by examining policies that refocuses our discussion beyond just funding and considers the impact our transportation infrastructure and planning can have on communities, access to critical jobs and services, and our impact on the environment. I am looking forward to collaborating with co-Chairs Rep. Chuy García and Rep. Ayanna Pressley to find innovative solutions to the transportation issues of the present, and of the future.”

 

“Every time transportation reauthorization comes up, we hear endless cries about the poor state of our crumbling infrastructure. But the current federal program cuts a blank check with no clear promises for how this money will solve any of our myriad problems, or precisely what will be better or different after six years of spending billions more,” said Beth Osborne, director of the advocacy group Transportation for America. “It’s time to stop limping along and spending billions with an unclear purpose and marginal returns. We are thrilled that Representatives García, Pressley, and Takano have launched the Future of Transportation Caucus to set clear and explicit goals for the federal program.”

In addition to Reps. Pressley, García, and Takano, the current members of the caucus include Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Joe Morelle (D-NY), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), André Carson (D-IN), Donna Shalala (D-FL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ).

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