Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5860, a bill that keeps the government open until November 17^th.

While I would rather be here speaking on the floor about final appropriations bills, I want members to understand why passing this short-term funding bill today is so important.

First, I want to explain how we find ourselves in this situation.

Just nine months ago, when Republicans took back the Majority in the House, our commitment was to Regular Order for appropriations.

No more omnibus measures released in the dead of night. No more Christmas Eve votes on thousands of pages of text that Members of Congress had not read.

Unfortunately, there were a few stumbling blocks as we sought to change the process.

For example, the Administration's budget request was more than a month late. It then took months for the President to come to the table on the debt ceiling negotiations.

Thank you, Chairwoman Granger.

The bill before the Committee responsibly funds our most critical transportation and housing needs, which will have a positive impact in every Congressional district.

At the same time, the bill meets the challenge before us to reduce spending and get our debt under control.

The bill reduces spending 25% below Fiscal Year 2023 levels, with a CBO score of $65 billion. We achieve these savings through a rescission of IRS funds and by reducing billions in excessive spending.

We have cut or eliminated 19 grant programs at DOT and HUD, totaling over $8 billion in savings, compared to the enacted level.

The total program level in this bill is $90 billion. We have carefully allocated resources to the most critical missions at DOT and HUD.

We prioritize transportation safety – on our railways, roads and airways.

First, I want to thank Chairman Cole for his work on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill.

This bill is another example of the real progress we are making to reduce overall spending while funding our highest priorities.

The bill before us today refocuses spending on programs that support affordable housing and safe, effective transportation systems.

Instead of giving the Administration more grant funding to spend, this bill gets us back to funding core missions.

This bill responsibly funds critical transportation infrastructure to ensure our roads, railways, and air traffic control systems are safe and reliable.

The housing programs in this bill provide support for working families, the elderly, the disabled, and our veterans.

I want to close by thanking the Members and staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work.

The Subcommittee will come to order.

I want to welcome everyone to the Subcommittee Markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

I am pleased to be joined by Ranking Member DeLauro, Ranking Member Quigley, and the Members of the Subcommittee.

I believe the bill before the subcommittee responsibly funds our most critical transportation and housing needs, which will have a positive impact in every congressional district.

At the same time, the bill meets the challenge before us to reduce spending and get our debt under control.

The bill reduces spending 25% below Fiscal Year 2023 levels, with a CBO score of $65 billion. We achieve these savings through a rescission of IRS funds and by reducing billions in excessive spending.

I want to thank Chairman Cole for presenting the Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies bill. I appreciate the work he has done on this Subcommittee.

This bill is another example of the real progress we are making to reduce overall spending while funding our highest priorities.

The bill refocuses spending on programs that support affordable housing and safe, effective transportation systems.

Instead of giving the Administration more grant funding to spend, this bill gets us back to funding core missions.

This bill responsibly funds critical transportation infrastructure to ensure our roads, railways, and air traffic control systems are safe and reliable.

The housing programs in this bill provide support for working families, the elderly, the disabled, and our veterans.