United States Senator Patty Murray

The safety and efficiency of our nation’s vast transportation network is critical to every American. Daily commuters, senior citizens, small businesses and so many more rely on our transportation infrastructure to go about their daily lives and provide for themselves and their families.

As Chairman of the Senate Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I play a key role in working to make the investments we need to build a stronger transportation network. In this capacity, I have made it a top priority to maintain a high level of safety on our roads, in the sky, and along our rail corridors. I have also been committed to making smart investments that facilitate the efficient movement of commerce to promote economic growth in our communities.

As Chairman, I have helped to direct funding to maintain and improve the interstate highway system, modernize airports, expand public transit in urban and rural areas, and invest in transportation research and safety programs.

In addition, I have also worked to address the unique transportation challenges we face in Washington State. Each year, I return millions of dollars to support local and state projects that reduce congestion, increase safety, and create jobs. I am dedicated to continuing the fight for Washington’s transportation needs in the Senate.

Priorities

• Increasing public transit options for urban and rural areas to provide people with transportation alternatives.
• Supporting the development of new, clean sources of energy so our transportation system is less dependent upon fossil fuels.
• Improving our national transportation infrastructure by investing in roads and bridges to support commerce and expand economic growth.
• Modernize the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Control system to reduce delays of flights, improve airline safety and allow a more effiecient management.
• Working to reduce traffic congestion in Washington State and across the country.
• Directing investments to our nation’s ferry system.

Accomplishments

• Fought to secure federal funding for critical infrastructure investments in roads, bridges, and safety improvements throughout the country.
• Been Washington state’s Congressional leader in securing federal funding for Sound Transit, including a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) in 2003 which secured $500 million in federal funding for the Link Light Rail project in Puget Sound.
• Supported Amtrak and other rail activities to give Americans more affordable alternatives to driving.
• Funded safety improvements on highways and interstates across the nation and in Washington State, including Highway 12 and numerous state routes.
• Supported funding for transportation research to increase efficiency and safety and decrease pollution.
• Funded public transit agencies to make public transportation more accessible and affordable.  
• Worked to invest nearly $700 million in Washington state roads, transit, shipyards and ferries in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.