National Interests in Rural Highways Act of 1997

See H.R.2400.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 21, 1997

National Interests in Rural Highways Act of 1997 - Amends Federal highway provisions to direct the Secretary of Transportation, for FY 1998 and thereafter, to increase and set aside an additional amount of Federal highway funds for allocation (according to a specified formula) to States that: (1) have population densities of fewer than 25 individuals per square mile; and (2) comprise a land area of 10,000 square miles or more.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Thune, John [R-SD-At Large] · R–SD

Committees

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jun 9, 1998
See H.R.2400.
Jun 2, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation.
May 21, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
May 21, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1002-1003)
May 21, 1997
Introduced in House
May 21, 1997
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · May 21, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 2400 · Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1701 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.1701, 105th Congress: National Interests in Rural Highways Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1701

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-05-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1701/BILLS-105hr1701ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:14:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1701 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1701 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1701, 105th Congress: National Interests in Rural Highways Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1701

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-05-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1701/BILLS-105hr1701ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:14:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1701 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1701 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1701, 105th Congress: National Interests in Rural Highways Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1701

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-05-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1701/BILLS-105hr1701ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:14:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1701 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1701 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1701, 105th Congress: National Interests in Rural Highways Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1701

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-05-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1701/BILLS-105hr1701ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:14:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1701 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.