House Approves $875 Million for LA28 Olympic Transit, Marking Bipartisan Support
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved $875 million in federal funding for public transportation infrastructure for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a move signaling bipartisan support for the event despite earlier uncertainties, according to a report by The New York Times.
Key Details of the Funding Approval
The funding, included in the fiscal year 2027 transportation bill, is intended to support transit services for the Games, including leasing 1,700 buses, building temporary depots, and creating dedicated lanes for athletes and officials. The House committee’s decision comes after President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget request excluded Olympic transit funding, raising concerns among organizers and lawmakers.
“We are encouraged by the House Appropriations Committee’s action,” said Maya Pogoda, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Senate and the White House to make America’s Games the best ever in history.”
Bipartisan Backing and Political Context
The inclusion of the funding in the bill reflects growing bipartisan consensus on the importance of the Games, which are set to be the first Summer Olympics in the U.S. since 1996. Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), chair of the subcommittee that drafted the bill, emphasized the investment’s role in showcasing “why the United States is the best country in the world.”
Former Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who served during the 1984 Olympics, highlighted the national significance of the event. “The success of the Games are the success of the country,” he said, stressing the need for timely federal support to address logistical challenges.
Challenges and Next Steps
LA Metro has requested $2 billion in federal funding for the Games, which will require approval in a future spending bill. The agency faces tight deadlines to secure resources for projects like bus leases and temporary infrastructure, as the 16-day event is projected to generate 1 million additional daily trips.
LA28 CEO Casey Wasserman met with Capitol Hill lawmakers in April to advocate for the funding, according to The Los Angeles Times. A second ticket sale for the Games is scheduled for August, with more than 4 million tickets already sold in the first release.
Why This Matters
The funding approval follows similar efforts by other host cities, such as Paris and Brisbane, to secure federal support for Olympic infrastructure. For Los Angeles, the investment underscores the logistical complexity of hosting a global event, including coordination on athlete visas and the import of Olympic horses.
Organizers stress that federal backing is critical to ensuring the Games’ success. “This has to be in place long before the Games start,” Yaroslavsky said, citing the need for “preparedness” to meet international standards.