On May 2nd, the White House delivered its request for the federal Fiscal Year 26 (FY 26) budget. The administration’s FY 26 budget overall decreases nondefense spending by $163 billion (22.6%) and cancels over $15 billion provided in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to renewable energy projects. It also eliminates $5.7 billion in IIJA funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

As the FY 26 budget process officially kicks off in Congress, ASCE calls on Members of Congress to uphold the funding levels established in the IIJA legislation. The IIJA mandates approximately $1.2 trillion funding for infrastructure from 2021 through 2026 to begin reversing decades of underinvestment in our country’s roads, water systems, and more. However, the federal investment must be maintained, as well as complemented by state and local funding, for long-term benefits to be realized. 

ASCE’s economic study Bridging the Gap clearly shows that the IIJA has helped halt the rapid growth of the infrastructure investment gap that had been worsening for decades, with the 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure showing the U.S. infrastructure system’s grade rising to a ‘C’—the highest grade given by ASCE since it began its Report Card in 1998. The projected infrastructure investment gap is 21% less over the next 10 years when we continue IIJA funding levels than it would be if we revert back to pre-IIJA funding when the law expires in 2026. By sustaining IIJA funding levels, the investment gap will be $800 billion less at $2.9 trillion over 10 years versus $3.7 trillion if we were to snap back to pre-IIJA investment levels in 2026.

ASCE asks Congress to protect IIJA funding and to reauthorize critical infrastructure investment programs that expire in 2026, such as surface transportation programs, and maintain increased federal investments across all infrastructure sectors. Furthermore, Congress must ensure uninterrupted funding for infrastructure projects and stabilize the Highway Trust Fund by making sure all road users pay their fair share.

Your support of our nation's infrastructure systems having consistent and sustainable funding is critical. Send a message now to your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative to urge their support!

 

Please note that if you are a constituent of Senator Jim Risch, Senator John Thune, or Senator Mitch McConnell Jr. you will need to edit the ASCE provided text to fit their offices' email word limit.