WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 10, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, voted in favor of H.R.2577, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 on Tuesday evening. This annual appropriations legislation, which passed the House, authorizes funding for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for FY 2016. The legislation is funded at $9.7 billion below the president’s request. The house has now passed five of the 12 appropriations bills they are working to pass for FY 2016.
“This measure is another important step for Congress in continuing its work to pass major pieces of legislation that fall in line with the spending cuts needed to get our nation’s fiscal house back in order,” said Congressman Shuster. “We must now use the funding to continue addressing and supporting our infrastructure needs with new ideas that promote competitiveness and economic growth. Without a strong transportation network we cannot have a strong economy, and as Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee I am committed to finding ways to modernize and improve all of our modes of transportation through fiscally responsibly and innovative legislative measures.”
The appropriations process is a key role and crucial function for the House of Representatives. H.R.2577, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes funding for our highways through the Highway Trust Fund, our air travel through the Federal Aviation Administration, and our rail infrastructure through the Federal Railroad Administration. It also contains funding for safety programs such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Also included in H.R. 2577 is funding for housing programs under the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Specifically, the bill appropriates funding for Section 8 and Public Housing above the FY 2015 level. Additionally, it funds Community Planning and Development programs such as the Community Development Block Grant formula program and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. As part of the legislation, Congressman Shuster helped pass two amendments aimed at illegal immigration. The Yoho and Brooks amendments prohibited funds for housing assistance under the Department of Housing and Urban Development for illegal immigrants.
“This bill provided adequate funding for our nation’s housing assistance programs that give a helping-hand to families and senior citizens when they are in the need of affordable housing options and economic development initiatives that will improve their own lives and their communities, continued Shuster.”
