ASCE OC Government Relations: 2026 Legislative Fly-In at Washington, DC

Early spring in Washington, D.C., set the stage for this year’s American Society of Civil Engineers Legislative Fly-In, an annual event that brings civil engineers from across the country to Capitol Hill. The event emphasized the importance of consistent advocacy and the role engineers play in connecting federal policy decisions to real community needs.

California Delegation at ASCE Legislative Fly-In 2026 at Washington, DC

Participants centered their discussions on the latest federal and state Infrastructure Report Cards. ASCE Orange County was represented by younger members Marionne Lapitan, Natalie Luna, and Brisa Bernal. The delegation joined peers from across the state to share regional insights, highlight local infrastructure needs, and contribute to a unified California presence on Capitol Hill.

ASCE OC Younger Members (L to R) Brisa Bernal, Marionne Lapitan, and Natalie Luna at Fly-In

Throughout the event, ASCE members met with congressional offices to discuss several priority issues shaping the future of infrastructure investment:

• Surface Transportation Reauthorization to support long-term, predictable planning for roads, bridges, and transit

• Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to upgrade aging water and wastewater systems

• Water Resources Development Act to strengthen flood protection, navigation, and ecosystem health

• FEMA Reauthorization Act to improve emergency preparedness, mitigation, and recovery

• Bridging the Gap economic study, which outlines how closing the infrastructure investment gap supports jobs and long-term economic growth

These priorities reflect the systems that keep communities safe, connected, and resilient.

The California Delegation met with the offices of Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA 44), Rep. Derek Tran (CA 45), Rep. Lou Correa (CA 46), Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA 25), Rep. Robert Garcia (CA 42), and more. Conversations focused on data-driven insights, local infrastructure needs, and opportunities to strengthen federal support for critical systems.

The Fly-In also provided space for collaboration among ASCE members nationwide. Participants shared regional perspectives, walked the halls of Congress together, and strengthened relationships that support long-term advocacy efforts. ASCE’s Government Relations staff played a central role by preparing attendees with the tools and resources needed to engage effectively.

As federal reauthorizations approach and infrastructure needs continue to evolve, the Fly-In reinforced the importance of maintaining a strong engineering voice in national policy discussions. ASCE’s network of professionals, students, and local chapters remains committed to advancing infrastructure that supports safety, resilience, and economic vitality across the country.

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About the Author:

Marionne Lapitan is a Traffic/ITS Engineer in the Roads & Highways Team at Jacobs. She received her BS in Civil Engineering at CSU Long Beach in 2019 and MS in Civil Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona in 2023. She is currently the ASCE OC Publications Committee Editor-In-Chief and the ASCE Orange County Younger Member Forum President. Actively involved in various professional organizations, she is passionate about designing and building communities, both structurally and socially. She aims to make a difference in the world through civil engineering in hopes of building a brighter future for the next generation. She also enjoys traveling, graphic designing, and reading books in her free time. Marionne can be contacted via ce@marionnelapitan.com or LinkedIn.