Reps. Hurd and Garamendi Introduce Airport TIFIA Financing Certainty Act to Expand Aviation Infrastructure Investment

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Jeff Hurd (CO-03) introduced the Airport TIFIA Financing Certainty Act (H.R. 6168), legislation that allows airports to continue to apply for and receive Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program funding for needed infrastructure improvements. This bill ensures that airports can access these critical funds to keep our airports safe and efficient.

“Airports are critical gateways for commerce, tourism, and connectivity in communities across Colorado and the nation,” said Rep. Hurd. “By expanding their access to TIFIA financing, we can help airports of all sizes invest in the infrastructure improvements needed to serve passengers safely and efficiently, all without placing undue burden on local taxpayers. I’m grateful to Rep. Garamendi for his leadership on this issue and for working with me to advance this bipartisan effort to strengthen airport infrastructure nationwide.”

“Four years ago, when Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act, it included my critical provision to make low-interest federal financing available to modernize our nation’s airports. Because of that provision, Sacramento International Airport received $36.1 million in low-cost financing, delivering essential infrastructure improvements for travelers in my district,” said Rep. Garamendi. “Today, I’m proud to join Rep. Hurd in introducing the Airport TIFIA Financing Certainty Act, which would expand and make permanent this successful loan program—helping ensure our airports are efficient, clean, and, most importantly, safe for the millions of Americans who rely on them every day.” 

“U.S. airports face $173.9 billion in infrastructure needs over the next five years. To meet growing passenger demand and modernize critical facilities, airports need access to a variety of applicable financing tools. The Airport TIFIA Financing Certainty Act would restore and expand the successful TIFIA loan assistance program for airports—providing a much-needed financing option to address pressing infrastructure projects across our nation’s airports,” said Airports Council International North America President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.“Since this important investment tool expired on September 30, 2025, Reps. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) and John Garamendi (D-CA) have demonstrated strong, bipartisan leadership in introducing this important legislation to permanently extend TIFIA eligibility to airports. We appreciate their commitment to strengthening airport infrastructure and look forward to working with Congress to advance this critical legislation.”

“Airports like ours need to expand to keep up with the growth in the region and in the size of commercial passenger aircraft. TIFIA is a game-changer for airport terminal projects, providing a low-cost financing option for Airports to use to help fund very large projects,” said Grand Junction Regional Airport CEO Angela Padalecki. “ We are grateful to Congressman Hurd for his support in making TIFIA for Airports permanent, and we look forward to using TIFIA to expand the passenger terminal at Grand Junction Regional Airport.”

The TIFIA program provides federal credit assistance in the form of direct loans, loan guarantees, and standby lines of credit for transportation infrastructure projects of national or regional significance. The Airport TIFIA Financing Certainty Act updates the existing program in three ways:

-   Expanding eligibility to include all projects that build or improve aviation facilities and equipment, improving access, mobility, and safety.

-   Removing the investment-grade rating requirement for airport projects, clearing a complex and burdensome hurdle to TIFIA financing.

-   Raising the expedited-processing threshold to $100 million in loan amounts, helping more mid-sized airport projects benefit from faster approval.

Read the full bill text here.

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