Fixing Infrastructure Damaged by Disasters Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 26, 2021

Fixing Infrastructure Damaged by Disasters Act

This bill expands the allowable uses of funds available to states for repairing federal-aid highways and other roadways damaged by natural disasters and catastrophic failures.

At the request of the governor and with approval of the Department of Transportation, a state may use funds for emergency maintenance projects (including those considered heavy or routine maintenance) that are necessary due to a natural disaster or catastrophic failure. Additionally, the bill increases the percent of funds a state may use for projects to protect public safety or to maintain or protect roadways from a disaster or catastrophic failure.

The bill also includes within the scope of natural disasters blizzards, ice storms, and wildfires.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] · R–TX

Committees

Environment and Public Works Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

Legislative record

Actions

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

May 26, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
May 26, 2021
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · May 26, 2021 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.1836 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 S.1836, 117th Congress: Fixing Infrastructure Damaged by Disasters Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1836

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1836/BILLS-117s1836is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:12:22Z. 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 S.1836 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 S.1836 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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Discuss S.1836, 117th Congress: Fixing Infrastructure Damaged by Disasters Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1836

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1836/BILLS-117s1836is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:12:22Z. 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 S.1836 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 S.1836 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.

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Discuss S.1836, 117th Congress: Fixing Infrastructure Damaged by Disasters Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1836

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1836/BILLS-117s1836is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:12:22Z. 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 S.1836 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

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Discuss S.1836, 117th Congress: Fixing Infrastructure Damaged by Disasters Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1836

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1836/BILLS-117s1836is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:12:22Z. 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 S.1836 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.