Leave Your Mark: Directly Engage with Congress as the Highway Bill is Debated

Evan Bender

By Evan Bender, NSSGA Director, Government Affairs
 

The aggregates industry’s most important annual gathering in the nation’s capital is on the horizon. From Sept. 20-23, aggregates industry professionals will converge on Washington, D.C., for the 2026 NSSGA Legislative & Policy Forum (LPF) – an event that gives NSSGA members the opportunity to leave their mark on the legislative process through direct advocacy on Capitol Hill.

 

This is more than a meeting. It is the moment when producers, manufacturers and association leaders come together to tell the story of how aggregates build America’s infrastructure and economy – and to ensure that story reaches the ears of those who shape the laws and regulations affecting our operations every day.

A core component of LPF is the joint Hill Day on Tuesday, Sept. 22, held in partnership with the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). Attendees will head to Capitol Hill for face-to-face meetings with members of Congress and their staff. These conversations will focus on shared priorities, with particular emphasis on the urgent need for a new surface transportation reauthorization bill.

 

The current authorization is nearing its end, and the stakes could not be higher. A robust, long-term reauthorization bill is essential to provide the funding certainty, program stability and investment levels required to maintain and modernize our nation’s highways, bridges and transit systems. Without timely action, projects risk delays, states face planning uncertainty and the aggregates industry – which supplies the vast majority of materials used in road and bridge construction – could see demand fluctuate unpredictably. A robust reauthorization not only supports jobs and economic growth across every congressional district; it recognizes the foundational role of aggregates in delivering safe, resilient infrastructure for generations to come. NSSGA members will use their Hill visits to underscore these realities with real-world examples from their operations and communities.

 

Preparation is key to success. In the weeks leading up to the event, NSSGA’s Government Affairs team will conduct in-depth webinars to equip participants with current policy insights, effective messaging and practical advocacy techniques. On the ground in Washington, association staff will guide teams through the process, making Hill visits productive and professional – even for those walking the corridors of power for the first time.

 

Beyond advocacy, LPF provides a rich program of education and connection.

 

Attendees can expect insightful keynote addresses and briefings that deliver an insider’s view of Congress, the administration and the broader political landscape. Open committee meetings provide opportunities to dive into critical work on environment, engineering and technical issues, communications, membership and more. The prestigious NSSGA Awards of Excellence will celebrate standout achievements in safety, environmental stewardship and community relations. And throughout the event, ample networking opportunities will allow members to build relationships with peers, industry leaders and NSSGA staff.

 

In an era when infrastructure investment, regulatory reform and workforce challenges remain front and center, the aggregates industry cannot afford to be silent. Permitting delays, shifting environmental regulations and persistent labor shortages continue to threaten project timelines, operational costs and long-term industry viability. The Legislative & Policy Forum gives every participant the platform and support to speak directly to policymakers with credible, real-world examples from their operations. At the same time, attendees will learn from one another, share best practices and strengthen the association’s collective voice – transforming individual concerns into a powerful, unified message that resonates on Capitol Hill.

 

Whether you are a seasoned advocate eager to deepen relationships on the Hill or a member new to federal advocacy, the 2026 LPF offers the knowledge, tools and community to make your participation meaningful. The aggregates industry’s future depends on engagement like this – engagement that turns shared challenges into shared successes.

 

As September approaches, plans for LPF will continue to take shape with additional details on speakers, schedule highlights and special events. One thing is certain: this year’s gathering in Washington will be an energizing and impactful experience for all who attend. The aggregates industry builds America. Every day, our materials form the foundation of the highways, bridges, airports and communities that power our economy and connect our nation. At the 2026 Legislative & Policy Forum, we will make sure Washington hears that message loud and clear. Through powerful advocacy, compelling stories from the quarry and a united industry voice, we will champion the policies needed to secure a strong, resilient future for infrastructure and the American people.

 


Originally published in the September/October 2026 REVIEW Magazine.