S.1985 / 117th Congress

ROUTES Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 9, 2021

Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success Act or the ROUTES Act

This bill provides statutory authority for a Department of Transportation (DOT) initiative by establishing the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Office within DOT.

The purpose of the office is to (1) improve analysis of projects from rural and tribal areas, and underserved communities in such areas that are applying for DOT discretionary grants, including ensuring that project costs, local resources, and the larger benefits to the American people and economy are appropriately considered; and (2) provide rural, tribal, and underserved communities in these areas with technical assistance for meeting transportation infrastructure investment needs in a financially sustainable manner.

To carry out the mission of the office, DOT must establish the ROUTES Council.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE] · R–NE

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

Legislative record

Actions

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

Jun 9, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jun 9, 2021
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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Introduced in Senate · Jun 9, 2021 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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

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Analyze S.1985 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.1985, 117th Congress: ROUTES Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1985

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-06-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1985/BILLS-117s1985is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. 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.1985 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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Examine S.1985 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.1985, 117th Congress: ROUTES Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1985

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-06-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1985/BILLS-117s1985is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. 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.1985 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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Examine S.1985 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.1985, 117th Congress: ROUTES Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1985

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-06-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1985/BILLS-117s1985is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. 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.1985 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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Examine S.1985 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.

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Discuss S.1985, 117th Congress: ROUTES Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1985

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-06-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1985/BILLS-117s1985is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. 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.1985 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.