Bill to Fund Key Transportation and Housing Programs across the U.S. and Maine Clears Appropriations Committee Unanimously

Statement

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that the Appropriations Committee unanimously approved the fiscal year (FY) 2019 appropriations bill she co-authored with Senator Jack Reed to advance transportation infrastructure development, housing assistance, and community development. The bill was advanced by a vote of 31-0 and will now be considered by the full Senate.

The FY 2019 THUD Appropriations Act provides $71.4 billion in discretionary spending for the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies. The bill is $1.1 billion above FY2018 enacted levels.

"This bipartisan bill is the product of considerable negotiation and compromise. I worked closely with Ranking Member Jack Reed in drafting this bill, and we received input from 70 Senators with more than 800 requests, all of which we carefully evaluated," said Chairman Collins. "The funding in this legislation will allow us to invest in our nation's infrastructure, while fully funding the renewal of housing assistance for low-income seniors and other vulnerable populations, such as teenagers and veterans who are homeless."

The funding bill includes a number of important programs to improve our nation's transportation and housing infrastructure, continue to modernize our air traffic control system, and maintain rental assistance and community development programs. Some of the programs that are particularly important to Maine include:

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