[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 90 (Monday, June 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 2015

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2577) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for other 
     purposes:

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chair, I rise today in 
opposition to the FY16 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development 
Appropriations bill.
  In short, this bill is shortsighted and fraught with handouts to 
special interests at the expense of the safety of the American people.
  Once again, the Majority in this body has squandered an opportunity 
to invest in our nation's crumbling roads and infrastructure, and it 
has squandered an opportunity to combat homelessness and provide access 
to safer, affordable housing for millions.
  Our future prosperity and economic growth depend on the investments 
we make now to ensure America remains the most competitive nation in an 
increasingly global economy.
  Instead of investing in safer rail to prevent accidents like the 
recent and fatal derailment of Amtrak in Philadelphia, this bill cuts 
Amtrak's budget by nearly $290 million and subsequently hampers its 
ability to implement proven technologies that would have prevented this 
tragedy and countless others.
  Instead of supporting the Federal Aviation Administration's efforts 
to implement NextGen technologies to keep our skies the safest in the 
world, this bill cuts the agency's capital investment program by $100 
million from the FY15 enacted level and $355 million below the 
President's budget request.
  This bill cuts funding to programs like Choice Neighborhoods and the 
Community Development Block Grants that would revitalize our 
communities, the Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes programs that 
would keep our families safe from harmful materials, and programs such 
as Housing for the Elderly that helps deliver the dignity and 
assistance for our most vulnerable populations.
  This is just a bad bill, Mr. Chair, and these are just a few of the 
reasons why this is a terrible bill, and one that will surely be vetoed 
by the President.
  I urge my colleagues to reject this bill and bring this legislation 
back to the drawing board.

                          ____________________