Sens. Cruz, Cornyn, Burr, Rep. Roy Introduce Highway Formula Fairness Act

WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) today introduced the Highway Formula Fairness Act, legislation that would establish a minimum guarantee for fuel tax revenue received by states tied to the percentage of total funds paid into the Highway Trust Fund (HTF).

Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said:

"Year after year, Texas contributes more to the Highway Trust Fund than any other state yet receives proportionately less than its contributions. It is a classic Robin Hood mentality and it needs to stop. I am proud to work with my colleagues to transform how the Highway Trust Fund contributions are distributed to promote a more balanced process for each state and so Texas receives its fair share."

Sen. Cornyn said:

"As the biggest donor in the country to the National Highway Trust Fund for several years running, Texas continues to be shortchanged out of our full share of funds. The Highway Formula Fairness Act will ensure every donor state, including Texas, receives every dime they are owed in federal highway funding and that Texas drivers will no longer be the victim of this unfair exchange."

Rep. Roy added:

"Texas has historically been shortchanged by the Highway Trust Fund, even though it contains more interstate miles than any other state of the union. At the same time, our state also bears massive infrastructure burdens associated with trade agreements, energy production, and heavy border crossings. The legislation I have introduced with my dear friend, Sen. Cruz, will help states like Texas keep more of what we pay in to improve our critical infrastructure. Texans know what they need best, and it's time we tell the bureaucrats in Washington to stay out of our lane."

Read the full text of this legislation here.

U.S. Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), August Pfluger (R-Texas), and Brian Babin (R-Texas) joined Rep. Roy in introducing the companion bill in the House.

BACKGROUND

Currently, 19 states, including Texas, receive a less than 95 percent rate of return on their contribution to total deposits paid into Highway Trust Fund.

Texas contributes more than any state and to the HTF and gets back proportionately less than every other state. In an era where Congress is supplementing the federal Highway Trust Fund Highway Account (HTF) with general fund revenue, Texas and more and a dozen other states receive far less back, as a percentage of their contributions. Similar legislation was previously introduced in the 114th and 115th Congresses by Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.).

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