Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016
Floor Speech
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Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in opposition of the proposed cuts to the Transportation Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery Program (TIGER) under the Fiscal Year 2016 Transportation Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill.
Since 2009, the Department of Transportation has provided state and local governments with grants to complete infrastructure projects. Many communities have profited from these investments, providing neighborhoods with safer pedestrian pathways, revitalizing economically distressed areas, and reducing congestion from traffic.
TIGER grants are meant to provide eligibility to infrastructure projects that do not qualify for restrictive formula based federal funding. Freight, port, and bridge projects across the country have benefited from financial support from TIGER. Reducing accessibility to TIGER grants will prolong infrastructure projects and increase traffic in our communities.
The House FY16 THUD appropriations bill includes $100 million for TIGER grants. This is a $400 million reduction from the 2015 enacted level, cutting the Department of Transportation's budget by 80%.
Severe cuts to TIGER are troubling, and substantial funding for the program is crucial to my District. For example, the Durfee Avenue grade separation proposal in Pico Rivera would reduce an estimated 15.3 hours of vehicle delays on a daily basis. Rosemead Boulevard/Lakewood Boulevard in my District carries tens of thousands of cars every day, providing goods movement to the Gateway cities. The Del Amo Boulevard bridge is structurally deficient, outdated, and in need of maintenance to improve lane capacity problems.
I ask that my colleagues join me in opposing the 80% cuts to TIGER grants and language restricting TIGER eligibility in the HOUSE FY16 THUD bill. Providing funding for these and other TIGER projects are about providing services that communities deserve.
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