WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) participated in a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development hearing today, questioning Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy on key Alabama infrastructure needs. The hearing focused on reviewing President Donald Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
During her remarks, Senator Britt emphasized the importance of widening Interstate 65 (I-65), a major north-south artery running through Alabama. She cited President Trump’s public statements in support of expanding the highway to six lanes—three in each direction—and asked Secretary Duffy to prioritize the project as part of the administration’s broader infrastructure agenda.
“When we’re talking about big, beautiful transportation projects that you mentioned, President Trump has made it a priority,” said Britt. “He has said publicly that he wants to see I-65 widened… He said he was committed to making that happen.”
She highlighted the remaining 277 miles of I-65 within Alabama that have yet to be expanded, calling for a partnership between federal and state governments to move the project forward.
Britt requested a commitment from Secretary Duffy to revisit the project: “There’s no way that project happens without a partnership with the federal government… [I] want your commitment to making sure that we take a look at what President Trump has promised, and we figure out how to make that happen.”
In response, Secretary Duffy stated, “I would just say the president’s priorities are also my priority. So, yes, I’ll take a look at that,” signaling his willingness to review the project as part of the administration’s transportation priorities.
Senator Britt, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has previously supported transportation infrastructure initiatives in Alabama and has advocated for continued federal investment in the state’s roads and highways.
