Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Funding Bill Passes House

Press Release

Today Congressman Kevin Cramer announced the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2015 funding bill for Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD). The legislation boosts funding for pipeline and hazardous materials safety, supports local airport improvements, funds research for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and increases funding for Native American housing loan guarantees.

"This bill provides a modest funding increase of $1.2 billion, which reflects a growing need for housing and infrastructure, while spending significantly less than the President's $7.8 billion request. It strengthens our commitment to safe transportation, and increases funding of critical housing programs for veterans, the elderly, and people with disabilities," said Cramer.

Transportation
Increases Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations funding by $98.6 million to ensure the safe operation of the national air traffic system, including hiring more than 1,700 new air traffic controllers, and $3.2 billion for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to support local airport infrastructure improvements.

Includes an additional $3 million to expedite the integration of UAS into the commercial airspace and another $2 million in UAS research dollars to help meet test site goals of system safety, data gathering, aircraft certification, command and control link challenges, control station layout and certification, sense and avoid, and environmental impacts.

Directs the DOT to improve the design of tank cars including those used in the transportation of oil by rail, develop emergency response plans, promote first responder training, and establish more adequate oversight of railroad, pipeline, and shipper operations. This includes $205.2 million for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), an increase of $19.4 million over the 2014 level.

Rejects proposals by the Obama Administration for new fees on passenger facilities and general aviation flights.

Housing

Boosts funding for public and Native American housing by $6.2 million above last year's level for a total of $26.3 billion. Increases from $6 million to $8 million the Native American loan guarantee program, which is extended to individuals and housing authorities to build new housing or purchase housing on trust land. The program provides access to funding which might otherwise be unavailable because of the unique legal status of Indian trust land.

Includes $75 million for veterans' housing vouchers, which will help add 10,000 new vouchers and support the goal of ending homelessness among veterans within five years.

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