House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill Reopens DOT, HUD

A PDF copy of this summary is available here. Additional details on the legislative package are available here.

House Appropriations Committee Democrats have filed legislation to reopen the federal government and fund the Department of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and other agencies.

The legislation is virtually identical to the FY19 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill that passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on a 31-0 vote and was adopted by the full Senate on a 92-6 vote.

It provides $71.4 billion in discretionary funding, $23.3 billion above the President's budget request and $1.1 billion above the FY2018 enacted level. The total includes more than $17 billion in funding for new infrastructure projects in addition to $49 billion for infrastructure from dedicated fuel and aviation taxes. The legislation will end the Trump Shutdown and fund the agencies covered in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill through September 30.

Bill Highlights:

Department of Transportation (DOT)—$86.5 billion overall for DOT, including $9 billion for new transportation infrastructure.

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—$17.7 billion, which is $300 million below the FY2018 enacted level and $1.6 billion above the President's budget request. Within this amount, Airport Improvement Program grants receive an additional $750 million to accelerate infrastructure investments at airports.

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)—$49.3 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion above the FY2018 enacted level and $3.5 billion above the President's budget request. Within this amount, Highway Infrastructure Programs are funded at $3.3 billion for highway and bridge rehabilitation and construction as well as safety improvements at railroad grade crossings.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)—$667 million, which is $178 million below the FY2018 enacted level and $1 million above the President's budget request.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)—$956 million, an increase of $9 million above the FY2018 enacted level and $42 million above the President's budget request.
• Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)—$2.8 billion, which is $323 million below the FY2018 enacted level and $1.8 billion above the President's budget request. Within this amount, Amtrak is funded at $1.9 billion, equal to FY2018 enacted level, and $565 million is provided for rail infrastructure improvements.
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA)—$13.5 billion, an increase of $33 million above the FY2018 enacted level and $2.4 billion above the President's budget request. Within this amount, Capital Investment Grants are funded at $2.6 billion, sufficient to fund all signed Full Funding Grant Agreements and continue work on projects in the development pipeline. Transit Infrastructure Grants are funded at $800 million to improve and modernize transit infrastructure.
• Maritime Administration (MARAD)—$818 million, which is $162 million below the FY2018 enacted level and $121 million above the President's budget request. Within this amount, the Maritime Security Program is funded at $300 million and funding is provided for the construction of a new schoolship.
• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)—$105 million, which is equal to the FY2018 enacted level and $6 million above the President's budget request.
• National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER or BUILD)—$1 billion, a decrease of $500 million below the FY2018 enacted level and $1 billion above the President's budget request.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) — $44.5 billion for HUD, including $8 billion for new housing and public infrastructure.

• Public and Indian Housing (PIH) — $31.3 billion, an increase of $952 million above the FY2018 enacted level and $6.8 billion above the President's budget request. Within this amount, Tenant-Based Rental Assistance is funded at $22.8 billion, adequate to renew all existing vouchers. The Public Housing Capital Fund is funded at $2.8 billion and the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative is funded at $100 million-both programs will revitalize our nation's public housing stock.

• Community Planning and Development (CPD) — $7.8 billion, an increase of $99 million above the FY2018 enacted level and $5.1 billion above the President's budget request. Within this amount, Homeless Assistance Grants are funded at $2.6 billion, Community Development Block Grants are funded at $3.4 billion, the HOME program is funded at $1.4 billion, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS is funded at $375 million.

• Housing Programs — $12.6 billion, an increase of $137 million above the FY2018 enacted level and $591 million above the President's budget request. Within this amount, $61 million is for the renovation and construction of housing units for the elderly. Project-Based Rental Assistance is fully-funded at $11.7 billion.

• Policy Development and Research (PD&R) — $100 million, an increase of $11 million above the FY2018 enacted level and $15 million above the President's budget request.

• Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity — $65.3 million, equal to the FY2018 enacted level and $3 million above the President's budget request.

• Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes — $260 million, an increase of $30 million above the FY2018 enacted level and $115 million above the President's budget request.