Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce issued the following statement on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, H.R. 2577, which passed the House late yesterday:
“Last night, the House continued its commitment to the American people to be more effective, efficient, and accountable with the passage of the T-HUD Appropriations bill. This is not simply a symbolic action. Working diligently, the House began the appropriations process, at the earliest date recorded since the 1970’s, to ensure that each bill includes critical agency oversight. Debated through regular order on the House floor, every Member of the House had the opportunity to voice concern and/or support for the legislation. This resulted in an open and transparent process that led to reforms reducing duplicative programs, eliminating wasteful and unnecessary programs, and ensuring that vital government programs are provided the funds they need to be successful. With plans to take up and pass the Department of Defense funding bill by the end of the week, the House will have completed half of the Appropriations process.”
“This bill provides critical funds for transportation projects, operations, and maintenance across the country. It prioritizes important highway infrastructure projects without an increase in the gas tax, preventing yet another burden on hardworking taxpayers who are already struggling to make ends meet,” said Pearce. “It fully funds essential air services that maintain stable and consistent commercial air carriers for rural communities in New Mexico. While this legislation is not perfect, and more reforms to Amtrak and other large federal programs could be made, it takes important steps in the right direction to ensure taxpayer dollars are efficiently utilized to fund our infrastructure. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass a multi-year surface transportation bill to provide certainty to critical infrastructure projects.”
“HR 2577 also continues our nation’s commitment to assist every American in obtaining stable, safe, and habitable housing. Housing assistance provides millions of families and individuals a needed stepping stone as they work toward further growth and prosperity in homeownership or unassisted rent. In addition, the bill fully funds the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program, which provides communities with much-needed assistance to build infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and sewage systems. Lastly, the bill meets its commitment and obligation to Native American tribes nationwide by including full support for the Indian Housing Block Grant, which is the main funding mechanism for the crucial Native American Housing and Self Determination Act (NAHSDA — aiding Native American tribes in offering every member with safe and habitable housing.”
