[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 11, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E961-E962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LINDA T. SAANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 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:

  Ms. LINDA T. SAANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chair, I rise today in 
opposition of the proposed cuts to the Transportation Infrastructure

[[Page E962]]

Generating Economic Recovery Program (TIGER) and the policy rider to 
TIGER included in the Fiscal Year 2015 Transportation, Housing and 
Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill.
  One of the primary objectives of TIGER is to invest in transportation 
projects that better connect communities to centers of employment, 
education, and services and that hold promise to stimulate long-term 
job growth, especially in economically distressed areas. TIGER has been 
traditionally open to all governmental entities from cities and 
counties to port and rail authorities and universities.
  The House FY15 THUD bill includes $100 million for TIGER grants. This 
is an 80% decrease from current funding levels. In the current (FY14) 
grant application round, the United States Department of Transportation 
(USDOT) has received nearly 800 applications requesting a total of $9.5 
billion, with only $600 million to invest--that's a request of more 
than 15 times what can be awarded.
  The House FY15 THUD bill also includes a worrisome policy rider, with 
language that would restrict TIGER eligibility to roads/highways, 
bridges, freight rail and ports. This would be a major change to the 
grant program, which has traditionally attracted a wide variety of 
innovative projects including public transportation and passenger rail, 
bicycle and pedestrian projects.
  These policy riders and severe cuts to TIGER are troubling. From the 
Durfee Avenue rail-highway grade separation project in Pico Rivera, to 
Artesia's proposal to build a public parking structure and expand 
sidewalks in the city's commercial district, to the City of Cerritos' 
request to facilitate the reconstruction of the Del Amo Boulevard 
Bridge, which is outdated and presents significant capacity, safety and 
accessibility problems. Substantial funding for TIGER grants is crucial 
for my District.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in opposing the 80% cuts to TIGER 
grants and language restricting TIGER eligibility in the House FY15 
THUD bill. Providing funding for these and other TIGER projects are 
about the safety, economic development, and services that communities 
deserve.

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