May 18, 2026 – Washington, DC – The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) announced a bipartisan agreement reached by Sam Graves, Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Rick Larsen, Ranking Member of the Committee, to reauthorize for the next five years the law that funds federal infrastructure programs. These include programs for highways, bridges, public transit, rail transportation, and roadway safety across the nation.

The measure, titled the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act (BUILD America 250), provides $995 million for Puerto Rico’s highway program for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, reflecting an increase of $95 million compared to the amount previously authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

Among the bill’s key achievements is the inclusion of H.R. 919, legislation authored by the Governor during her tenure as Resident Commissioner, which authorizes Puerto Rico to issue Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) valid throughout the United States. This language was incorporated into Section 5103 of BUILD America 250.

The new bill also reauthorizes the federal bridge improvement program. Under the IIJA, Puerto Rico received $225 million for these purposes.

The Committee is expected to approve the legislation as early as Thursday of this week, with the goal of advancing it to a full House vote shortly thereafter. The bill must be signed into law by Donald J. Trump before the current IIJA authorization expires on September 30, 2026.

“To develop the BUILD America 250 Act, the Committee sought input from stakeholders early in this Congress. Accordingly, through a formal letter issued by the Governor on April 28, 2025, we communicated Puerto Rico’s priorities to the Committee. At PRFAA, we have remained in constant communication throughout the reauthorization process to ensure continuity in advancing Puerto Rico’s priorities. The inclusion of language authorizing the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses is a landmark achievement, along with expanded access to funding sources to improve infrastructure across the Island. Through concrete actions, Governor Jenniffer González Colón has championed these investments as a driver of economic growth and public safety for our people,” stated PRFAA Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli.

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