Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Chairman Steve Womack
2358-A Rayburn House Office Building
(202) 225-2141
Majority | Minority |
| Steve Womack – Chair | James E. Clyburn – Ranking Member |
| Hal Rogers | Mike Quigley |
| John Rutherford | Bonnie Watson Coleman |
| Tony Gonzales | Norma Torres |
| Ryan Zinke | Pete Aguilar |
| Juan Ciscomani | Adriano Espaillat |
| Dave Joyce | |
| Stephanie Bice – Vice Chair | |
| Dale Strong |
FY26 Member Day Hearing Instructions
Recent Activity
Today, we welcome testimony from Chris Rocheleau, Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Administrator Rocheleau, thank you for joining us today as we review the FAA's budget request for the coming fiscal year.
We've seen air travel rebound since the pandemic, with passenger numbers now consistently exceeding pre-pandemic levels across our aviation system. Aviation remains a critical driver of economic growth. Commercial aviation contributes more than $1 trillion to our economy, and new aviation technologies promise to deliver more opportunities while improving the quality of life for all Americans. I am particularly excited to see how advancements in the aviation sector provide more opportunities in areas of high growth like the third district of Arkansas.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (R-AR) and Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) emphasized the importance of transportation safety, aviation modernization, and infrastructure development during opening remarks at a budget hearing with the Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy.
Today, we welcome testimony from the Honorable Sean Duffy, Secretary of the Department of Transportation on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Thank you, Secretary Duffy, for appearing before us today. It’s great to see you. For those that don’t know, Sean and I were classmates together back in 2010, and I’d like to think we’d surprise ourselves in knowing we’d be in these seats 15 years later.
The Department of Transportation is requesting $26.7 billion in discretionary budget authority for Fiscal Year 2026. This request includes a $1.2 billion increase for air traffic modernization and operations, $596 million to ramp up our port and shipyard infrastructure, a $400 million boost for freight rail safety, and $770 million for multimodal freight expansion.
Thank you, Chairman Womack, and thank you, Ranking Member Clyburn. Welcome Secretary Duffy. It is good to have you back – even if it’s on the other side of this chamber’s dais. Thank you for appearing before us and for your service.
I also want to acknowledge Tim and Sheri Lilley, who are with us today. They are the parents of Flight 5342 first officer Sam Lilley, who lost his life in the tragic mid-air collision at DCA. Tim and Sheri, this entire Committee—and the nation—mourn alongside you and each family whose lives irrevocably changed that night. You have taken the voice of grief and used it to speak for those who no longer can. Your strength and purpose in advocating for aviation safety—particularly given Tim’s experience as a retired helicopter pilot—are an important force for change. Your work honors Sam and the victims in the most powerful way: by helping to save lives and make our skies safer.
Washington, D.C. – ICYMI, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (R-AR) this week brought U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner to the Third District of Arkansas to highlight how HUD’s core mission translates into effective local impact.
The subcommittee will come to order. Good morning, and welcome to this year’s Member Day hearing. Today, we welcome our colleagues to testify on their priorities for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Transportation for Fiscal Year 2026.
Member engagement is key to the appropriations process, and especially important for our bill, because every district has housing and transportation assets.
As a former Mayor, I value the local perspective from districts nationwide. That’s why I am looking forward to hearing from our colleagues. With that, I recognize the Ranking Member, the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Clyburn, for any comments he has.
