SAFE Bridges Act of 2017

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

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 5, 2017

Strengthen And Fortify Existing Bridges Act of 2017 or the SAFE Bridges Act of 2017

This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish a program to assist states to rehabilitate or replace bridges found to be structurally deficient.

States shall use apportioned program funds for projects to rehabilitate and replace such bridges.

The federal share of project costs is 100%.

Prevailing rate of wage requirements for construction of federal-aid highways projects shall apply to such projects.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] · D–NH

Committees

Environment and Public Works Committee

4 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.

Apr 5, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Apr 5, 2017
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 · Apr 5, 2017 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 2462 · SAFE Bridges Act of 2017

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

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Objective

Analyze S.846 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.846, 115th Congress: SAFE Bridges Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/846

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2017-04-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s846/BILLS-115s846is.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.846 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.846 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.846, 115th Congress: SAFE Bridges Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/846

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2017-04-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s846/BILLS-115s846is.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.846 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.846 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.846, 115th Congress: SAFE Bridges Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/846

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2017-04-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s846/BILLS-115s846is.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.846 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 S.846 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 S.846, 115th Congress: SAFE Bridges Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/846

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2017-04-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s846/BILLS-115s846is.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.846 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.