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“TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2015” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E961-E962 on June 11, 2014.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2015
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speech of
HON. LINDA T. SAANCHEZ
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4745) making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes:
Ms. LINDA T. SAANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition of the proposed cuts to the Transportation Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery Program (TIGER) and the policy rider to TIGER included in the Fiscal Year 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill.
One of the primary objectives of TIGER is to invest in transportation projects that better connect communities to centers of employment, education, and services and that hold promise to stimulate long-term job growth, especially in economically distressed areas. TIGER has been traditionally open to all governmental entities from cities and counties to port and rail authorities and universities.
The House FY15 THUD bill includes $100 million for TIGER grants. This is an 80% decrease from current funding levels. In the current (FY14) grant application round, the United States Department of Transportation
(USDOT) has received nearly 800 applications requesting a total of $9.5 billion, with only $600 million to invest--that's a request of more than 15 times what can be awarded.
The House FY15 THUD bill also includes a worrisome policy rider, with language that would restrict TIGER eligibility to roads/highways, bridges, freight rail and ports. This would be a major change to the grant program, which has traditionally attracted a wide variety of innovative projects including public transportation and passenger rail, bicycle and pedestrian projects.
These policy riders and severe cuts to TIGER are troubling. From the Durfee Avenue rail-highway grade separation project in Pico Rivera, to Artesia's proposal to build a public parking structure and expand sidewalks in the city's commercial district, to the City of Cerritos' request to facilitate the reconstruction of the Del Amo Boulevard Bridge, which is outdated and presents significant capacity, safety and accessibility problems. Substantial funding for TIGER grants is crucial for my District.
I ask that my colleagues join me in opposing the 80% cuts to TIGER grants and language restricting TIGER eligibility in the House FY15 THUD bill. Providing funding for these and other TIGER projects are about the safety, economic development, and services that communities deserve.
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