Streamlining federal permitting and partnering with state DOTs are among the priorities for the next surface transportation bill.

"It's time for this boondoggle to die," said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Two New York members of Congress called them "vulture funds" trying to get "blood out of a turnip" at the expense of Puerto Rico electricity customers.

"Most states do not expect to be able to keep key roads and bridges to a state of good repair," said David Draine, principal officer, public sector, retirement systems for the Pew Charitable Trusts. 

With big state incentives and tariff protection, a United Arab Emirates-based aluminum producer has pledged to build the first new U.S. smelter in decades.

Executive Director Gene Seroka said the port's downstream prospects are unclear as it deals with the "tariff whipsaw effect" from the Trump administration.

The House Appropriations Committee kicks things off with markups of three infrastructure-related funding bills this week, including transportation.

The comprehensive federal tax bill President Trump signed July 4 is credit negative for universities, Moody's Ratings said.

Most states have already enacted their budgets for the fiscal year as the effects of Medicaid restrictions and tax policy changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill are being analyzed and raising concern.

The layoffs will mean a hit to basic services and the cancellation or delay of projects.