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Version 49 · Public Law · Oct 2, 2021
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2021
This bill extends and revises provisions related to federal-aid highway, transit, highway safety, rail, and other surface transportation programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Among other provisions, the bill
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
extends FY2021 enacted levels of funding through October 31, 2021, for federal-aid highway, transit, and safety programs;
increases the cap from $600 million to $700 million on the amount of funding for nationally significant freight and highway projects and extends authority through FY2022 for DOT to provide funding for such projects;
revises and extends authority through FY2022 for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to carry out collaborative research on in-vehicle technology to prevent alcohol-impaired driving;
extends authority through October 31, 2021, for DOT to provide direct loans and loan guarantees for railroad rehabilitation and development near rail stations;
reauthorizes and extends authority through FY2022 for the Appalachian Regional Commission;
compensates any federal employee who is furloughed or required to work without pay during the authorization lapse in Highway Trust Fund expenditure authority at the earliest possible date after the lapse ends; and
extends expenditure authority through November 1, 2021, for the Highway Trust Fund, Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.
People & committees
Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] · D–OR
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 117-44.
Became Public Law No: 117-44.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6878)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Received in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6878)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 365 - 51 (Roll no. 313). (text: CR H5586-5587)
House roll call 313 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 365 - 51 (Roll no. 313).(text: CR H5586-5587)
House roll call 313 · Individual votesDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5434.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5585-5589)
Mr. DeFazio moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Dec 17, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.5434 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.
Examine H.R.5434 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.
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