May 14, 2026

New Dems Host Stakeholder Roundtable on Surface Transportation Reauthorization

STR Roundtable

Today, New Dem Vice Chair for Outreach Salud Carbajal (CA-24) hosted a roundtable with stakeholders to discuss upcoming work on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill. At the roundtable New Dem Members were joined by guests from infrastructure, transportation, and labor groups to discuss federal funding for infrastructure projects and ongoing transportation issues as part of New Dems’ engagement on the federal highway bill.

This roundtable is part of the Coalition’s ongoing efforts to develop and advance commonsense infrastructure solutions. In June of 2025, the Coalition penned a letter to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen outlining the Coalition’s priorities for the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization package.

“As Vice Chair of Outreach for New Dems, and as a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I was proud to host today’s discussion on solutions that can get projects completed on time, under budget, and incorporate new features to enhance safety and durability,” said Rep. Salud Carbajal. “I helped write and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was the largest investment in infrastructure in recent U.S. history, but there's still much more we can do to modernize our country's roads, highways, and railroads. I’m looking forward to working with my New Dem colleagues to turn our ideas into reality.”

During the roundtable, participants discussed a number of topics, including ways to finish federal projects more quickly, how federal financing can sustainably support projects, and ways to innovate on infrastructure programs to be safe and resilient.

Roundtable guests included:

  • Michele Stanley, CEO, National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association

  • Nile Elam, SVP for Public Policy National Asphalt Pavement Association.

  • LeeAnn Goheen, Partner FFG Consulting, Lead Public Policy and Transportation Advisor to the National Association of Truck Stop Operators

  • Allie Kelly, Executive Director, The Ray

  • Nate Smith, Manager, Government Affairs, Caterpillar

  • Zack Tatz, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Transport Workers Union

  • Aaron Singer, Global Transportation Vice President, AECOM