Fighting for TIGER grants in the U.S. House - what happened
Last week we sent an Advocacy Alert asking our members and supporters to contact their House members to stand up for bicycling, walking, trails, and transit in the important Federal TIGER Grant Program.
Every year, Congress decides how much general revenue will be dedicated to TIGER. This year, some members of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee not only slashed funding for the program in their annual budget bill, but also restricted eligible projects to just three types: roads (including bridges and tunnels), ports and freight rail. This decision ignores the significance and importance of walking, biking and public transit in America, even going so far as to declare them “unessential.” It was a clear swipe at walking, biking and trail projects, which is why RTC, working with members of Congress, sprang into action.
In committee, Rep. Betty McCollum (Minn.-04) proposed an amendment to restore all the eligibilities to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development budget bill. It garnered support but was ultimately defeated. When the bill reached the House floor, we asked RTC members to urge their representative to advocate for trails, walking, biking and the TIGER program.
As a result, 15 representatives spoke out passionately and loudly in support of restoring all eligibilities. Led by Reps. David Price (N.C.-04) and Mike Quigley (Ill.-05), the “TIGER line” of representatives stood up one after the other to “Strike the Last Word” and ask the House to restore all eligibilities and funding to TIGER. It was inspiring to see so many members of Congress ready, organized and passionately speaking out for trails, walking and bicycling.
Ultimately, the House passed the bill (H.R. 4745) with wording that strips walking, biking and transit eligibilities from TIGER, but the organized effort of those 15 representatives was a still a win. Your voices as constituents, and the voices of your representatives who spoke out, showed that there are many who believe bicycle and pedestrian projects have a place in TIGER and in America’s transportation future. When the bill text is negotiated between the House and the Senate, it will put supporters of walking and biking in a favorable position to restore those eligibilities to TIGER.
- advocacy
- Advocacy Alert
- advocate
- america
- appropriations committee
- bicycle
- bicycling
- biking
- bill
- bridge
- bridges
- budget
- community
- congress
- form
- funding
- grant
- grants
- house
- house of representatives
- members
- missouri
- pedestrian
- rail trails
- roads
- senate
- TIGER
- trail
- trails
- transit
- transportation
- urban
- walking
Join MoBikeFed's Advocacy Network
Working together we make a real difference! Join our advocacy network:
Related pages
Current topics...
Archives...
Want better bicycling and walking in Missouri?
We rely on the support of members like you. Please join, renew, or donate today.
- Home
- JOIN/DONATE
- News/Info
- Missouri Bicycling, Running, Trails
- Bicycle Skills and Safety
- Missouri Bike/Ped Law
- Clubs and Organizations
- Bike Shops
- Running Shops
- Bicycling, Running, Trails-related Businesses
- Ride, Run, Walk, Hike, Triathlon, and Events Calendars
- Bicycles on Amtrak
- Maps and Routes
- Trails and Trail Maps
- IBikeMO.org
- Planning a Missouri bicycle trip
- Gravel and Bikepacking Maps & Routes
- Bicycle & Touring Routes
- Advocacy
- Campaigns
- Our Legislative Platform
- Complete Streets
- Statewide Rock Island Trail
- Statewide Trail Vision - Quad State Trail
- Bicycle Friendly Missouri
- Walk Friendly Missouri
- Safe Routes to School
- MoDOT funding crisis
- High Priority Bike/Ped Project List
- Anti-harassment laws in cities & statewide
- Updating the basic bicycle law
- Our Vision for MoDOT
- Our Vision for MPOs/RPCs
- Our Vision for Cities & Counties
- Bicycle, pedestrian, trails plans across MO
- Protecting Vulnerable Road Users
- Vision Zero
- Missouri Trail Towns
- Store
- About