Cole Remarks at FY26 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill Full Committee Markup

Thank you, Chairman Womack, and thank you to Ranking Member Clyburn, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all our members. 

The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development measure before the subcommittee today responsibly funds our most critical transportation and housing needs while demonstrating fiscal responsibility. 

This measure ensures that our airways, railways and roads are safe and improves reliability for the traveling public and freight haulers. Substantial funding allocated for highways through the Highway Trust Fund also delivers a meaningful increase that strengthens our core infrastructure.

I am particularly pleased with investments in the Federal Aviation Administration’s facilities and equipment. The significant enhancement in these areas will modernize national airspace and hire additional air traffic controllers for understaffed facilities. With a clear focus on safety and efficiency, this funding accelerates the deployment of air traffic control technology and infrastructure—building on the momentum established through the One Big Beautiful Bill.

The bill supports American innovation with funding for DOT to certify new aircraft, integrate drones in the airspace, and enable the advancement of automated vehicle technologies. We’re investing meaningfully in freight rail infrastructure improvements, truck parking and tribal transportation—resources strategically transferred from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to maximize efficiency.

Our national defense is also prioritized through strong support for strategic sealift programs, including the Maritime Security Program, alongside continued backing of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and State Maritime Academies.

We are also building strong communities across America. Our most vulnerable citizens are supported through rental assistance and homelessness resources, which will assist millions of elderly, disabled, and working poor households. 

The bill empowers local housing and community development decision-making through Community Development Block Grants and NeighborWorks—capacity-building activities that leverage private housing investment dollars.

We uphold these vital commitments while delivering substantial savings by eliminating and shifting resources away from partisan priorities and redirecting them toward core infrastructure investments that drive American competitiveness and economic growth.

I thank Chairman Womack and Ranking Member Clyburn for their hard work on this bill. I believe it reflects a fiscally conservative approach that reduces overall spending while protecting essential services and prioritizing real infrastructure investments.