Rep. Huffman Defends SMART Rail Project, Votes Against Damaging Transportation Bill

Press Release

Huffman: "This transportation bill puts roadblocks in the path of the SMART project and projects similar to it all over this country"

Last night, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) voted against the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations Act, which would derail TIGER grant funding sought by the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) project in Northern California. On Monday night, Huffman spoke on the House floor in defense of local investments in public transportation like SMART. T-HUD would slash TIGER grants by 80% as well as restrict eligibility, effectively locking out public transportation and passenger rail projects like SMART rail. Huffman also objected to a provision in the bill that blocks funding for California's high-speed rail project.

"This transportation bill puts roadblocks in the path of the SMART project and projects similar to it all over this country," Huffman said. "This bill represents a massive step backward for transportation and infrastructure funding, reducing funds for rail, transit, and highway programs that our communities desperately need. We shouldn't undermine state and local efforts to invest in transportation infrastructure and to promote economic development."

Huffman also urged the Federal Housing Administration to expand the PowerSaver pilot program to include Native American communities. PowerSaver enables homeowners to borrow up to $25,000 to make energy improvements to their homes, including insulation, energy efficient water heaters, and solar panels.

Many Native American communities, including the Karuk Tribe in Congressman Huffman's district, are investing in sustainable and energy-efficient housing. Expanding the PowerSaver pilot to include these communities will allow them to lower their electric bills, increase the value of their homes, and reduce dependence on dirty energy sources

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