September 25, 2026
This week, Senate Environment and Public Works Chair Shelley Moore Capito (WV) said that a Senate draft of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization (Highway Bill) will not be introduced until the final weeks of the year, after the November election and shortly before the December 11th funding deadline.
The MRF’s Washington, D.C. team anticipated this timeline and has planned its advocacy work accordingly, rather than treating the delay as a surprise. The House version of the bill, H.R. 8870, cleared committee in May and includes several motorcyclist-friendly provisions that the MRF worked to secure.
With the Senate now expected to release its own draft later this year, the MRF’s focus is on ensuring those provisions carry over into the Senate bill. The MRF’s team remains engaged with members and staff in the Senate as the reauthorization process moves forward, and will continue tracking developments through markup, floor action, and conference.
Learning of this news, MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard said, “It’s not a surprise Congress is working slowly, that’s what they do. However, no matter how long it takes, the MRF will be there to fight for bikers.”
