Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I thank the chairman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill, obviously, the fiscal 2016 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.

Mr. Chairman, I am proud that we have this piece of legislation. It is our fifth appropriations bill of this year on the floor today. It is the next step in our ongoing effort to fully fund the government before the end of the fiscal year, as is our congressional duty.

This bill, as the chairman has said, funds a wide range of Federal programs that affect every citizen of every district of every State. From the transportation infrastructure that moves goods, people, and businesses around the country to the housing options that help most those in need, the benefits of the programs in this bill are felt far and wide.

In total, the bill provides $55.3 billion in discretionary spending due to reduced offsets, including lower FHA receipts. The bill represents a $25 million increase above the current year.

This is a tight budget, Mr. Chairman. Yet the bill targets funds to provide adequate investments in critical infrastructure and much-relied-upon housing programs.

Of the total, $17.2 billion goes toward discretionary funding for DOT, prioritizing projects that have great benefits to our Nation as a whole and that will help make this Nation's transportation systems safer and more efficient.

This includes $15.9 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration. A portion of that money will go to what is called the NextGen program to improve efficiency in our airways and reduce congestion and delays.

The Federal highway program gets $40.2 billion from the highway trust fund, an amount equal to last year, but that is subject to continued authorization. This funding will ensure our roadways, bridges, and tunnels can safely and smoothly facilitate the flow of American commerce.

The Federal Railroad Administration is funded at $1.4 billion. That includes $289 million for Amtrak operations, the same as last year, and $850 million for capital grants, as well as $187 million for critical safety and research programs. Total FRA funding is reduced by $262 million, but rail safety, which is so important, is held harmless from any reductions.

In fact, safety was a priority throughout the bill, and that is evident in the funding levels. For instance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received $6.5 million more than last year, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration receives a $6.9 million bump up to help address safety concerns regarding the transport of energy products.

Beyond these important infrastructure investments, the bill also includes a total of $42 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This level will guarantee that all individuals and families currently receiving housing assistance will continue to be served by this program, and it ensures that the 77,000 VASH vouchers which support our veterans remain in circulation.

Important housing programs for some of our most vulnerable citizens, the elderly and persons with disabilities, also receive targeted increases. To help bolster economic growth in local communities, the bill provides $6.4 billion in grant funding for economic development. Investing in our communities through programs like Community Development Block Grants will allow funds to be targeted to local areas to meet their unique needs.

Now, as with all appropriations bills, particularly in these tight budget times, we had to take a close look at what was mission critical and what was lower on the priority list. Some tough choices had to be made and some programs had to be reduced. Overall, I believe this bill puts everything in its proper place and does the very best within its allotted resources.

I want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee, Congressman Diaz-Balart. This is his maiden voyage as a cardinal, a chairman of a subcommittee, his first voyage at sea. We hope it is a safe and smooth one. And I am proud to say to him, ``Job well done so far.'' So we wish for you the very best.

Thanks to David Price and the members of the committee, subcommittee, all the staff; my counterpart Mrs. Lowey. I thank all of you for working hard on this bill.

I am proud to support this bill, and I ask my colleagues to do the same.

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