The BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870) is a bipartisan, five-year plan to invest $580 billion in the United States' transportation infrastructure from fiscal years 2027 to 2031. It aims to improve roads, bridges, transit systems, and railways, enhance safety programs, and introduce new technologies like autonomous commercial vehicles. The bill also seeks to streamline project approvals and introduces new funding sources for the Highway Trust Fund, including fees for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The BUILD America 250 Act has received widespread support from various industry groups and stakeholders. The Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) praised the bill for its substantial investment in infrastructure and its potential to create jobs and boost the economy. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) commended the legislation for providing certainty to the public transportation industry and supporting long-term investments. Additionally, the International Franchise Association (IFA) expressed strong support, highlighting the bill's role in strengthening the American economy and supporting small businesses.
While the BUILD America 250 Act has garnered significant support, some concerns have been raised regarding its funding mechanisms and potential regulatory impacts. Critics argue that the introduction of new fees for electric and hybrid vehicles could discourage the adoption of cleaner transportation options. Additionally, there are apprehensions about the bill's provisions for autonomous commercial vehicles, with some stakeholders questioning the readiness of infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to safely integrate such technologies. However, specific negative media coverage is limited at this time.
The analysis of H.R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the bill's subject matter and the sponsor, Sam Graves' top donor industries. While there is significant lobbying activity in related policy areas, the contributions from these entities do not appear to create a direct conflict of interest with the bill's objectives. For instance, the Security Industry Association contributed $34,000, and the Association of America Railroads contributed $22,500, but these contributions do not align with the core infrastructure and development focus of the bill. Overall, the lack of direct industry ties suggests a low risk of conflicts arising from the financial support received by the sponsor.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA OF THE USA | YMCA OF THE USA | $110,000 |
| RED BULL NORTH AMERICA, INC. | RED BULL NORTH AMERICA, INC. | $60,000 |
| SECURITY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION | SECURITY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION | $34,000 |
| SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION CORPORATION | RICH FEUER ANDERSON | $30,000 |
| ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA RAILROADS | THE CACTUS GROUP, LLC | $22,500 |
| POWERUS | SAUNDERS GLOBAL DIPLOMACY | $17,500 |
| SENECA NATION | SPIRIT ROCK CONSULTING | undisclosed |
| JOHN BRIAN LEDBETTER MISSIONS | JOHN BRIAN LEDBETTER MISSIONS | undisclosed |
| ALLIANCE FOR MEDICARE | THE PICARD GROUP, LLC | undisclosed |
| GULF PORTS ASSN | PAT YOUNGER | undisclosed |
| FUTURE DEFENSE USA, INC. | DENNIS CARDOZA CONSULTING SERVICES | undisclosed |
| THE KNOT WORLDWIDE INC. | FGS GLOBAL (US) LLC (FKA FGH HOLDINGS LLC) | undisclosed |
| CITY OF FIFE, WA | DESIMONE CONSULTING, LLC | undisclosed |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE HEALTH | LMH STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS | undisclosed |
| MEDTELLS | BLUE TUSK COMMUNICATIONS | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Sam Graves, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
