# Cantwell Urges $36.8B Transportation Funding

Sen. Maria Cantwell urged Congress to approve **$36.8 billion in advance appropriations** for grant programs covering aviation, transit, rail, maritime, and other transportation infrastructure. The article reports that states’ federal transportation support fell 30% after the 2021 infrastructure law expired on Oct. 1, leaving transportation agencies and grant-dependent organizations facing funding uncertainty.

- The proposed appropriations would support multiple transportation sectors, but the signal does not report that Congress has approved the funding.
- State transportation agencies and organizations that rely on federal grants may need to account for funding uncertainty in project and procurement planning.
- Contractors serving grant-funded transportation projects should assess potential funding exposure before committing resources or schedules.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Transportation
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 27, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate Commerce Committee)
- U.S. Congress (Congress)

### Key Quotes
> Congress can and must act to restore funding for these key programs,
> — Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senator