U.S. Senate Passes $56.5 Billion Transportation-Housing Appropriations Bill

Press Release

Today, the U.S. Senate voted 89-8 to approve the fiscal year 2017 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Bill. Overall, the bill would provide $56.5 billion in discretionary funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), along with other related agencies and programs.

"This bill moves our nation forward and makes critical investments in transportation and housing that will yield strong dividends for the American people. The policies and funding contained in this bill will improve the safety of our roads, connect more Americans to jobs and housing opportunities, and boost critical lead poisoning prevention programs nationwide. This legislation will serve as a critical building block for economic growth and community development," said U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations THUD Subcommittee, who worked alongside Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) to craft the bill.

For DOT, the bill provides critical federal highway and transit grants, makes investments in passenger and freight rail safety and infrastructure, and connects communities across the country. For HUD, the bill funds necessary rental housing assistance programs, protects affordable housing production, and provides additional resources targeted to address homelessness. Additionally, to help spur economic development, the bill includes $3 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), which provides federal resources to help local communities make locally-driven economic development and other infrastructure improvements that are unique to their needs. Senator Reed estimates that Rhode Island communities should receive about $15.2 million as a result of this program.

Reed also led the effort to protect low-income families from lead-based paint hazards by including $50 million in additional funding, as well as a comprehensive series of reforms to current policies and an expansion of HUD's oversight and enforcement capacity.

"Lead poisoning is a preventable tragedy that dramatically impacts a child's ability to learn, and has a significant cost for our society. This federal funding, along with needed reforms included in this bill, will make it easier for parents to protect their children from lead-based paint hazards that may be present in their homes," said Reed, who has been a consistent supporter of lead poisoning prevention programs throughout his career. Since 1998, Senator Reed has helped secure roughly $45 million for Rhode Island's lead poisoning prevention initiatives.

Source