[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1014-E1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     FISCAL YEAR 15 TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2014

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Fiscal Year 
2015 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (H.R. 4745). This 
bill provides $1.8 billion less than the FY 14 omnibus. It underfunds 
too many critical investments that maintain and support our 
infrastructure and housing.
  Specifically, I strongly oppose the dramatic cut and new restrictions 
on the TIGER program. House Republicans included only $100 million for 
TIGER grants, an 80 percent cut from FY 14. While this extreme cut in 
funding is disappointing, more concerning are the restrictions placed 
on the grant program. H.R. 4745 specifically states that only highway, 
bridge, freight rail and port projects are eligible for TIGER grants. 
Public transit, including light rail and passenger rail, would no 
longer be eligible for these critical dollars. Republican leaders 
repeatedly stated that the provision was inserted to focus TIGER grants 
on what they call ``essential projects.'' In my district and many other 
communities across the country, public transit is an essential project. 
My communities depend on these dollars to help support passenger rail 
and multimodal projects, such as light rail, streetcars and dedicated 
Bus Rapid Transit.
  In addition to TIGER, other transit initiatives were cut, including 
New Starts (a 13 percent cut) and Amtrak (a 14 percent cut). This 
ongoing attack on public transit is unacceptable.
  Unfortunately, the investments in housing in this bill are also 
insufficient. HOME Investment Partnership Grants were cut by 30 
percent, to near historic lows. In my district, the HOME program is 
used to help first time homebuyers with the cost of a down payment and 
closing cost, which can be prohibitive for many buyers looking for a 
first home of their own. Another program supported by HOME finances 
maintenance to preserve federally supported housing, especially 
important considering the shortage of affordable housing. A 30 percent 
cut to these programs means fewer homebuyers helped and critical 
repairs to decaying affordable housing are unaddressed.
  Transportation and housing are the backbone of our communities. 
Stable, affordable housing and access to jobs helps to stabilize 
communities and promote economic growth. H.R. 4745 fails to 
sufficiently invest in our communities and I urge my colleagues to 
oppose it.

[[Page E1015]]



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