Washington,
May 23, 2018
The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2019 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill on a vote of 34-17. The legislation includes funding for the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other related agencies.
In total, the bill reflects an allocation of $71.8 billion in discretionary spending – $1.5 billion above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $23.8 billion above the request. The allocation reflects the second year of the bipartisan budget agreement, and again targets resources to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure, including airports, roads, bridges, and rail. This funding will support critical infrastructure investments at the state and local level, and will provide needed resources for community development and essential housing programs.
“For too long, the transportation infrastructure in our nation has been neglected, which has dampened growth and efficiency. This bill will provide a much-needed boost in funding for improvements in our infrastructure system – whether it is roads, bridges, rail, bus, air travel, or waterways. I’m particularly pleased to see funding in the bill that will support the Northeast Corridor by modernizing and maintaining the safety of one of the busiest and most economically vital systems in the world,” Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen said. “It also supports core community and housing programs to ensure shelter for our most vulnerable citizens, to expand economic opportunities for our local communities, and to improve the towns and cities that Americans call home.”
“I am pleased to present this legislation that builds on the investments made to our nation’s infrastructure in last year’s bill. I worked with Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Price to ensure vital programs continue to receive strong funding levels, while eliminating wasteful bureaucratic spending and protecting taxpayer dollars. The President has made it a priority to invest in our nation’s infrastructure, and I am glad we were able to deliver historic levels of funding for the second year in a row. This is another down payment towards rebuilding our nation’s roads, bridges and rail systems, while also providing critical housing improvements for our most vulnerable populations. I look forward to reviewing the bill with the Appropriations Committee and moving it to the floor for consideration by our colleagues,” Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart said.
The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full committee today:
Rep. Diaz-Balart – The manager’s amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Rep. Fleischmann – The amendment adds report language directing the Department of Transportation to report on any updated findings on the impact of increasing the length of twin-trailer trucks to 33 feet. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Rep. Wasserman Schultz – The amendment adds $46 million to the Housing for the Elderly program, offset by a decrease in highway grants. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
For a summary of the bill, please click here.
For the text of the bill, please click here.
For the text of the report, please click here.
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