Reed Boosts Transportation & Housing Resources for RI in Omnibus Appropriations Bill

Press Release

Today, the House and Senate Appropriations committees filed a $1.15 trillion fiscal year 2016 omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government through September 30, 2016.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, played a major role in crafting key pieces of the bill that will help strengthen our economy, create jobs, and make critical investments in America's future. The THUD section of the bill provides a total of $57.3 billion -- an increase of $3.53 billion over fiscal year 2015 -- for programs that build our transportation network, support housing programs, and spur economic development.

"I plan to support this legislation. While imperfect, this compromise appropriations bill goes a long way toward responsibly meeting our most pressing national needs and benefits Rhode Island. This bill will help protect the American people, improve our infrastructure, and wisely invests in education, innovation, and economic growth," said Reed.

Speaking about the THUD title of the bill, Reed noted: "These investments yield a high rate of return for the American people. We were able to protect critical funding for the FAA, which should help keep improvements for T.F. Green on schedule. The bill includes federal funds to boost transportation and community development projects in Rhode Island that will help keep our economy moving forward."

Reed also noted that he helped successfully beat back attempts to add several partisan policy riders to the bill, such as those that would have weakened Wall Street reform, eliminated protections for clean air and water, and interfered with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) ability to protect consumers.

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