A misguided proposal to give state DOTs yet more “flexibility” in spending federal dollars is one more example of how the desire for bipartisanship on transportation too often leads to bad policy and outcomes. This proposal would almost certainly result in more money being transferred into wasteful highway spending, especially in states that are currently failing to produce good outcomes with the massive “flexibility” that they already have. Why give these low performers more in exchange for nothing in return?

Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) have put forth a bipartisan proposal intended to be included in the upcoming 2026 transportation law. The Senators’ proposal is very straightforward, increasing the amount of flexibility in highway formula programs from 50 percent up to 75 percent. What does that mean? States could transfer more money from one program to another, giving them yet more discretion and Congress even less control. All under the banner of “streamlining” the federal program and providing more accountability (while actually reducing accountability and oversight.)