Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2021 Transportation-Housing and Urban Development Funding Bill

WASHINGTON — The House Appropriations Committee today released the draft fiscal year 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. The legislation funds the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other related agencies, including the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

For fiscal year 2021, the legislation provides $158.3 billion in base budgetary resources. The bill includes $75.9 billion in discretionary funding, an increase of $1.7 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $16.8 billion above the President’s 2021 budget request. Consistent with the INVEST in America Act, the bill includes budgetary resources for surface transportation programs totaling $78.7 billion. In addition, the legislation provides $75 billion to support the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic by investing in our nation’s transportation and housing infrastructure.

“Our nation is facing an infrastructure crisis, with crumbling roads, aging transit and rail systems, lack of affordable and safe housing, and natural disasters increasing in severity and number, exacerbated by accelerating climate changes. Meanwhile, COVID-19 is ravaging communities, revealing and deepening existing disparities, while leaving state and local governments with fewer resources and more responsibility to respond in the absence of steady leadership from the executive branch,” said House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Chairman David Price. “The Fiscal Year 2021 ‘THUD’ funding bill seeks to confront these problems head on.  It provides substantial new investments to help vulnerable populations, including seniors, the disabled, homeless families and youth, domestic violence survivors, and veterans.  It will boost production of affordable housing and address urgent life and safety threats in public housing.  And it continues to build on bipartisan progress in recent fiscal years to increase funding for all modes of transportation—highways, aviation, transit, bike and pedestrian projects, rail, and ports—while improving safety and focusing on resiliency across all programs.  These priorities are underscored by a robust emergency title that provides $75 billion in additional assistance to states and local communities to address pressing infrastructure challenges. I’d like to thank Ranking Member Mario Diaz-Balart, whose partnership and cooperation have been and will continue to be essential as the appropriations process moves forward, as well as my colleagues on the ‘THUD’ subcommittee from both sides of the aisle.  I look forward to working together to enact this legislation into law.” 

“This bill represents a forward-looking vision to rebuild our nation and strengthen our communities. Together, we can modernize our transportation systems, expand access to safe, affordable housing, and support our most vulnerable neighbors. The emergency funding in this bill is pivotal to kickstart a strong and equitable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic collapse,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey. “With this bill, we are laying the foundations for sustained economic growth and expanded opportunity for every American in every corner of our nation.”

A summary of the draft fiscal year 2021 Transportation-Housing and Urban Development bill is below. The text of the bill is here. The subcommittee markup will be webcast live and linked from /events/markups.

Bill Summary:

Department of Transportation (DOT)— For fiscal year 2021, the bill provides a total of $107.2 billion in total budgetary resources for DOT – an increase of $21.1 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $19.4 billion above the President’s 2021 budget request.  Of this amount, the bill includes:

• $1 billion for National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER/BUILD), equal to the FY 2020 enacted level and the President’s budget request.
   
• $3 million to support the Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence established in fiscal year 2020.  This program was not in the President’s budget request.
   
• $10 million for Transportation Planning Grants to assist areas of persistent poverty.  This new competitive grant program was not in the FY 2020 enacted bill or the President’s budget request.
   
• $18.1 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an increase of $522 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $618 above the President’s budget request.

• $1.5 billion for Aviation Safety, an increase of $96 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $26 million above the President’s budget request.
   
• $500 million for discretionary Airport Improvement Grants, an increase of $100 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $500 million above the President’s budget request. 

• $62.9 billion for the Federal Highway Administration:
   
  • $61.9 billion, consistent with the INVEST in America Act, for programs funded from the Highway Trust Fund, an increase of $14.7 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $11.1 billion above the President’s budget request.
     
  • $1 billion for discretionary Highway Infrastructure Programs, a decrease of $1.2 billion below the FY 2020 enacted level and $1 billion above the President’s budget request. 
     
• $881 million for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, consistent with the INVEST in America Act, an increase of $202 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $179 million above the President’s budget request.
   
• $1.3 billion for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, consistent with the INVEST in America Act, an increase of $268 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $293 million above the President’s budget request.
   
• $3 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration, an increase of $201.8 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $1 billion above the President’s budget request. 
   
  • $500 million for Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements, an increase of $175 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $170 million above the President’s budget request.
     
  • $200 million for Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair, equal to the FY 2020 enacted level.  The President’s budget request proposed eliminating this program.
     
  • $2.05 billion for Amtrak, an increase of $50 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $1.1 billion above the President’s budget request. 
     
    • $750 million for Northeast Corridor Grants, an increase of $50 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $424.5 million above the President’s budget request.
       
    • $1.3 billion for National Network Grants, equal to the FY 2020 enacted level and $689 million above the President’s budget request.

• $18.9 billion for the Federal Transit Administration:
   
  • $15.9 billion, consistent with the INVEST in America Act, for Transit Formula Grants funded from the Highway Trust Fund, an increase of $5.8 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $4.9 billion above the President’s budget request.
     
  • $2.2 billion for Capital Investment Grants, equal to the authorized level, an increase of $197 million above the FY 2020 enacted level, and $286 million above the President’s budget request.
     
  • $510 million for Transit Infrastructure Grants, equal to the FY 2020 enacted level and $510 million above the President’s budget request. 
     
• $40 million for the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, an increase of $2 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $9.3 million above the President’s budget request.
   
• $1.2 billion for the Maritime Administration, an increase of $197.3 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $506.7 million above the President’s budget request.
   
  • $314 million for the Maritime Security Program, an increase of $14 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and equal to the President’s budget request.  In addition, Section 171 of the bill provides an additional $500,000 in fiscal year 2021 for each vessel in the program.
     
  • $300 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program, an increase of $75 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.  The President’s budget request proposed eliminating this program.
     
  • $389 million for schoolship construction, an increase of $89 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $89 million above the President’s budget request.

In addition, to support the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the bill provides an additional $26 billion for the Department of Transportation programs to strengthen and make more resilient our nation’s aging infrastructure, including:

• $3 billion for National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER/BUILD);
• $10.5 million for DOT Cyber Security Initiatives;
• $500 million for FAA Facilities and Equipment;
• $2.5 billion for FAA Grants-in-Aid for Airports;
• $5 billion for Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements;
• $100 million for Magnetic Levitation Technology Deployment Program;
• $5 billion for Northeast Corridor Grants to Amtrak;
• $3 billion for National Network Grants to Amtrak;
• $5 billion for the Capital Investment Grants;
• $125 million for Maritime Administration Operations and Training;
• $345.5 million for State Maritime Academy Operations;
• $100 million for Assistance to Small Shipyards;
• $1 billion for Port Infrastructure Development Program; and
• $7.5 million for the DOT Office of Inspector General.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)— For fiscal year 2021, the bill provides a total of $50.6 billion for HUD – an increase of $1.5 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $13.3 billion above the President’s 2021 budget request.  FHA and GNMA receipts for FY 2021 are $10.7 billion, $3.3 billion more than in the FY 2020 enacted bill.  Of the $50.6 billion, the bill includes:

• $34.8 billion for the Office of Public and Indian Housing, an increase of $2.4 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $6.3 billion above the President’s budget request.
   
  • $25.8 billion for Tenant-based Rental Assistance, an increase of $1.9 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $2.4 billion above the President’s budget request.
     
    • $60 million for housing for homeless veterans, an increase of $20 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.  This includes $20 million for the HUD/VA Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans, which the President’s budget request proposed eliminating, and $40 million in new Incremental Vouchers to Address Homelessness for veterans.
       
    • $2.5 million for HUD/VA Supportive Housing for Homeless Native American Veterans, an increase of $1.5 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.  The President’s budget request proposed eliminating this program. 

• $3.2 billion for the Public Housing Capital Fund, an increase of $310 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.  The President’s budget request proposed eliminating this program.
   
• $4.6 billion for the Public Housing Operating Fund, an increase of $100 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $405 million above the President’s budget request.
   
• $250 million for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, an increase of $75 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.  The President’s budget request proposed eliminating this program.
   
• $155 million for Self-Sufficiency Programs, an increase of $25 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.
   
• $835 million for Native American Programs, an increase of $10 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $235 million above the President’s budget request.
   
• $4 million for Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant, an increase of $2 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.  The President’s budget request proposed eliminating this program. 

• $9.1 billion for the Office of Community Planning and Development, an increase of $1.1 billion above the 2020 enacted level and $6 billion above the President’s budget request.
   
  •  $430 million for Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS, an increase of $20 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $100 million above the President’s budget request.
     
  •  $3.5 billion for Community Development Block Grants, an increase of $100 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.  The President’s budget request proposed eliminating this program.
     
  • $1.7 billion for the HOME Investment Partnership Program, an increase of $350 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.  The President’s budget request proposed eliminating this program.
     
  • $45 million for Section 4 Capacity Building, an increase of $9 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.  The President’s budget request proposed eliminating this program.
     
  • $3.4 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, an increase of $638 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $642 million above the President’s budget request.

• $14.6 billion for the Office of Housing, $1 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $854 million above the President’s budget request.
   
  • $13.4 billion for Project-Based Rental Assistance, an increase of $881 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $809 million above the President’s budget request.
     
  • $893 million for Housing for the Elderly, an increase of $100 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $40 million above the President’s budget request.
     
  • $227 million for Housing for Persons with Disabilities, an increase of $25 million above the FY 2020 enacted level. 
     
  • $75 million for Housing Counseling, an increase of $22 million above the FY 2020 level and $30 million above the President’s budget request. 
     
• $118 million for Policy Development and Research, an increase of $20 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $23.4 million above the President’s budget request.
   
• $80.3 million for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, an increase of $10 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $10 million above the President’s budget request.
   
• $340 million for the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, an increase of $50 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.

In addition, to support the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the bill provides an additional $49 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development programs to bolster communities nationwide by making robust and resilient investments in public housing, affordable housing, and community development, including:

• $24.25 billion for the Public Housing Capital Fund;
• $300 million for the CHOICE Neighborhoods Initiative;
• $1 billion for Native American Programs;
• $20 million for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant;
• $4 billion for the Community Development Block Grant;
• $17.5 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships;
• $55 million for the Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity;
• $750 million for capital improvements for properties receiving project-based rental assistance;
• $750 million for the Housing for the Elderly;
• $179 million for the Housing for Persons with Disabilities;
• $100 million for the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes;
• $100 million for the HUD Cybersecurity and Information Technology Fund; and
• $7.5 million for the HUD Office of Inspector General.

Related Agencies—The bill provides $432.2 million for the related agencies in the bill, an increase of $62.2 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $184 million above the President’s 2021 budget request.

• $208.5 million for NeighborWorks, an increase of $50 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.  The President’s budget request proposed eliminating this program.
   
• $3.8 million for the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, equal to the FY 2020 enacted level and the President’s budget request.

In addition, to support recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the bill provides an additional $300 million for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NeighborWorks) to spur economic stabilization and investment in communities.

Policy Provisions

• Blocks the administration’s public housing rule change targeting undocumented immigrants, which threatens the housing of 55,000 children who are citizens or legal residents.
   
• Blocks the administration’s proposal to weaken housing protections for LGBT Americans.

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