[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 11, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2015

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                               speech of

                          HON. BRUCE L. BRALEY

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2014

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4745) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Housing 
     and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes:

  Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the provision 
within the Transportation Housing and Urban Development (THUD) 
appropriations legislation to fund the contract tower program, which 
includes the tower at the Dubuque Regional Airport, and for funding of 
the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. While I voted against 
the THUD legislation, I do support these provisions. Unfortunately, the 
overall bill cuts important transportation and housing programs, and on 
balance, the bill is not a win for Iowa.
  The contract tower at the Dubuque Regional Airport is extremely 
important to commercial air service in the Dubuque region, and helps 
ensure the safety of passengers flying in and out of the Dubuque 
airport. The tower is also an important training tool for students at 
the University of Dubuque's professional pilot training program. 
Additionally, the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program provides 
important services to our veterans including housing services for 
homeless veterans. I look forward to working with my colleagues to 
ensure that these programs are fully funded, while working to improve 
the other transportation and housing components of the bill which need 
significant improvement.

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