Cole Remarks at FY25 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill Subcommittee Markup
Thank you, Chairman Womack, and thank you to Ranking Member Quigley, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all the members of the subcommittee for being with us today.
The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development measure before us today responsibly funds our most critical transportation and housing needs.
We ensure the safety of our airways, railways, and roads, while making targeted investments that improve opportunities for the traveling public and freight haulers.
I am particularly pleased with funding for the Federal Aviation Administration that will build on our work to modernize the national airspace and hire air traffic controllers for understaffed facilities.
The bill puts American innovation at the forefront with investments for DOT to certify new aircraft, integrate drones in the airspace, and enable the advancement of automated vehicle technologies.
Our national defense is prioritized through critical Maritime Security, Tanker Security, and Cable Ship Security programs at DOT.
We support our most vulnerable citizens through the renewal of HUD rental assistance programs and homelessness grants. Millions of elderly, disabled, and working poor households rely on these programs to avoid homelessness and engage productively with their communities.
The bill meets this commitment while rejecting proposals to dramatically expand HUD programs through mandatory and emergency spending.
Economic growth and development are also emphasized thanks investments in Community Development Block Grants and capacity-building activities that leverage private housing investment dollars.
We prioritize these core missions at DOT and HUD while rejecting the Biden Administration’s proposals to expand government and impose excessive regulatory burdens.
I thank Chairman Womack and Ranking Member Quigley for their hard work, and I look forward to advancing this measure to invest in our communities and safeguard our transportation systems.
