Shant Boyajian Discusses Obstacles Facing INVEST in America Act

Shant Boyajian was quoted in the Law360 article, “House Dems' 'Green' Transpo Funding Bill Faces Uphill Battle” (subscription required). The article provides an overview of the obstacles facing the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act ("INVEST in America Act"). The Bill—which calls for nearly $500 billion in funding over five years—is envisioned by House Democrats as a replacement for the most recent surface transportation funding legislation, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015, which expires at the end of September.

Many experts have posited that the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works' America's Transportation Infrastructure Act, which cleared committee in summer 2019, could serve as a more palatable bipartisan option that also embraces some climate-focused initiatives. Commenting on the matter, Shant said, “While the INVEST in America Act goes further than the Senate bill with respect to climate change funding and policies, Republicans may support these policies if other priorities are adequately addressed. The same holds true for rail and transit investments. As long as overall funding levels are increasing proportionally between highways and transit, increased funding should receive Republican support."

Shant was the lead author of the 2015 FAST Act when he was senior counsel to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.