{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://stanton.house.gov/2025/12/stanton-lawler-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-address-growing-threat-of-extreme-heat-to-america-s-critical-infrastructure", "Stanton, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Growing Threat of Extreme Heat to America\u2019s Critical Infrastructure", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Greg Stanton", "S001211", "stanton.house.gov", "stanton", "https://stanton.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) and U.S. Representative Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Extreme Heat Caucus, unveiled the Heat Emergency Assistance for Transportation (HEAT) Act. This bipartisan legislation recognizes extreme heat as a growing threat to America\u2019s roads and bridges and unlocks critical resources to repair infrastructure that has suffered heat-related damage.\n\nAccording to research by Duke University\u2019s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, high temperatures can cause bridge expansion joints to crack or fail, accelerate the degradation of concrete and steel, and weaken structural integrity over time. This threat is particularly acute for aging infrastructure that was not designed to withstand the prolonged heat exposure now occurring across much of the country. Last summer, bridges as far north as New York City and Maine closed due to heat damage.\n\n\u201cWhen roads and bridges deteriorate from heat, they can damage vehicles, grind traffic to a halt, and interrupt Americans\u2019 lives and businesses,\u201d Stanton said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to work with my Extreme Heat Caucus Co-Chair, Congressman Lawler, to tackle this issue head on. Our HEAT Act gives states the clarity they need to protect the roads and bridges that millions of Americans depend on every day and makes sure federal officials understand the transportation challenges of a hotter future.\"\n\n\u201cExtreme heat is a growing threat to our nation\u2019s transportation infrastructure. The HEAT Act of 2025 provides emergency relief for bridges and roads damaged by high temperatures, keeping critical transportation networks safe and operational,\u201d said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).\n\nThe HEAT Act includes four key provisions:\n\nExtreme Heat as a Qualifying Natural Disaster: Explicitly adds extreme heat to the definition of a natural disaster under the Federal Highway Administration\u2019s Emergency Relief Program.\n\nEmergency Relief for At-Risk Bridges: Creates an emergency relief exception for bridges experiencing accelerated deterioration from extreme heat exposure that are at risk of imminent collapse.\n\nComprehensive Study on Heat Impacts: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to commission a study by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies to examine the measurable impacts of extreme heat on federal highways and bridge infrastructure.\n\nBest Practices Report for Future Construction: Requires the Department of Transportation to release guidance on best management practices for highway and bridge safety in extreme heat conditions.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://stanton.house.gov/2025/12/stanton-lawler-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-address-growing-threat-of-extreme-heat-to-america-s-critical-infrastructure"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.867342809215188, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}