Why would Congress consider a bill that massively tilts shipping methods toward trucking — the deadliest, most polluting, congestion-causing, and heavily publicly subsidized mode, while punishing rail, the cleaner, safer, and financially self-sufficient mode? That is what the bill the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed last month does. The Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act now could head to the House floor.

The proposed legislation showers the trucking industry with an array of benefits. The bill funds more truck parking and writes the first federal framework to let driverless trucks scale. On the verge of approval was also a push to allow 91,000-pound rigs on the interstates. One trucking association called it the most pro-trucker reauthorization in memory.