Washington, D.C.— Congressman Bresnahan and Congresswoman McDonald Rivet Introduce a Common-Sense Approach to Federal Transportation Policy That Elevates Safety, Accountability, and Local Priorities 

The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) applauds the introduction of the bipartisan Bridges and Safety Infrastructure for Community Success (BASICS) Act by Representatives Rob Bresnahan (R-Penn.-08) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.-08). The legislation advances long-standing priorities of regional councils and local governments by strengthening federal transportation programs to focus on local projects chosen through regional planning. The bill would:  

• increase funding for the Metropolitan Planning program to better support integrated regional planning that coordinates local efforts and spends federal funds effectively;

• strengthen flexible formula programs like the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program for local and regional project delivery; 

• clarify project selection requirements to ensure that locally provided dollars are used as intended for locally identified projects, especially in rural areas;

• support rural regions by providing dedicated federal funding for Regional Transportation Planning Organizations for the first time; and 

• ensure regional funding for the Bridge Formula Program and Highway Safety Improvement Program to better address the needs of local communities.  

Regions and local governments plan for, own, and operate more than 75 percent of the nation’s road network, yet receive only approximately 16 percent of federal transportation funding. This imbalance leads to major differences in transportation asset conditions based solely on who owns them, not how important they are to the network. It places pressure on local governments to maintain critical infrastructure with limited resources. The BASICS Act aims to address this gap by directing federal investment toward the agencies most responsible for system planning, maintenance, and safety. 

“The BASICS Act strengthens the vital work of regional councils, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) to plan and deliver transportation projects that boost mobility, economic vitality, and quality of life,” said Justin Kiel, Council Member, La Porte County, IN; Commissioner, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission; President, National Association of Regional Councils. “By directing more resources to local and regional partners, the bill supports infrastructure investments that reflect community priorities and local expertise. I applaud Representatives McDonald Rivet and Bresnahan for championing legislation that supports regional planning organizations, invests in locally-driven infrastructure, and helps regions build a stronger, more connected future.” 

Congress is preparing for the renewal of  federal surface transportation legislation this year with current programs expiring by September 30, 2026, and the BASICS Act reflects how federal programs can be more responsive to the priorities of each region and district in the country.

“The BASICS Act supports regional councils, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and Regional Transportation Planning Organizations by strengthening the tools they need to deliver community-driven transportation needs,” said Erich Zimmermann, Executive Director, National Association of Regional Councils. “This legislation reaffirms and enhances the critical role that regions play in delivering mobility, safety, and economic opportunity across the country.” 

The BASICS Act is supported by the Local Officials in Transportation (LOT) Coalition, which represents more than 25,000 individual counties, cities, towns, planning agencies, and regional economic development organizations across the United States.  

Coalition members include the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO), the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National League of Cities (NLC), and the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM). The bill reflects months of collaborative work and incorporates extensive input from member organizations and stakeholders.  

View the one pager, section-by-section summary, and full text of the BASICS Act, and share your support here.