WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) reintroduced the Highway Formula Fairness Act. This bipartisan legislation would modernize the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) distribution formula to ensure states receive a fair share of federal surface transportation funding based on the amount they contribute to the HTF.

Sen. Cruz said, "Texas is the second-largest contributor to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), yet it has received a smaller share relative to its contributions than any other state over the life of the fund. This disparity is particularly untenable because Texas is growing rapidly, with a population that has increased by more than 4 million in a decade. This legislation will ensure we have a highway funding formula that guarantees every state receives its fair share of infrastructure investment. It is bipartisan, common sense, and should be advanced by Congress and sent to the President."

Sen. Cornyn said, "The Lone Star State should not be forced to pay disproportionately more than other states to maintain federal highways, putting an undue burden on Texas taxpayers. By guaranteeing all states receive at least 95% of what they contribute to the Highway Trust Fund, this legislation would ensure fairness, transparency, and predictability for the distribution of federal highway resources and critical infrastructure projects in Texas, and I'm proud to support it."

Sen. Kelly said, "Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states, but we've been shortchanged for decades when it comes to federal funding for our highways, roads, and bridges. Arizonans send their tax dollars to Washington, and we should be getting our fair share back to improve our infrastructure and keep the economy moving."

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas-21) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Roy said, "For too long, Texas has been shortchanged by the Highway Trust Fund, receiving less than our fair share of the dollars we send to Washington. Senator Cruz and I reintroduced this bill to fix that and ensure at least a 95 percent return on every dollar Texans contribute."

This legislation is supported by the Texas Department of Transportation.

Texas Transportation Commissioner Steven D. Alvis said, "As Congress works on the next surface transportation reauthorization bill, fairness in the distribution of highway funding for states must be a priority. TxDOT appreciates Senator Cruz and Congressman Roy for reintroducing the Highway Formula Fairness Act, offering a straightforward way to modernize outdated formulas and better align funding with what states contribute to the Highway Trust Fund."

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND:

The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is a federal funding mechanism that receives revenue from transportation-related taxes, primarily federal fuel taxes, and provides funding for highways and surface transportation.

The Department of Transportation's most recent data shows that in Fiscal Year 2023, Texas accounted for the largest share of contributions to the HTF at 12 percent, while the total apportionments and allocations distributed to Texas equaled less than 10 percent of the total fund.

The Highway Formula Fairness Act guarantees that every state receives a proportion of total funding equal to its contribution to the HTF. Additionally, the legislation ensures that all states, including Texas, receive at least 95 percent of their HTF contributions.

Sen. Cruz previously introduced the Highway Formula Fairness Act in June 2021 and in February 2023.