Vice Chairman Quigley Statement at Full Committee Markup of Fiscal Year 2023 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Funding Bill

Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL), Vice Chair of the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Appropriations Committee's markup of the fiscal year 2023 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies bill:

Thank you, Madam Chair. In a moment I’ll talk about the mark itself, but first I want to thank staff on both sides. On the majority side, that includes Christina, Winnie, Josephine, Xavier, Rachel, and Samhita. For the minority, Doug and Alyssa.

I’d also like to thank Ranking Member Diaz-Balart for his collaboration throughout this process, Chair of the Full Committee, Ms. DeLauro, for her tremendous leadership and stewardship of this Committee, as well as the Committee’s distinguished Ranking Member Ms. Granger. And finally, Chairman Price, for his steady leadership of the T-HUD Subcommittee. It has been a tremendous honor to work alongside him and I know his impact will be felt long after his retirement this year. I thank him for his service and our thoughts are with him and his family at this time.

In total, this bill includes $90.9 billion in discretionary funding, an increase of $9.9 billion over fiscal year 2022.

On the transportation side, the bill provides a total of $105.4 billion for DOT, reflecting our continued commitment to modernization and safety across all modes of transportation.

In line with the historic investment Congress made in our nation’s transportation infrastructure last year through the I-I-J-A, the bill fully funds authorized levels for transit, highway, and safety formula grant programs.

The bill also provides $646 million for Transit Infrastructure Grants to help transit agencies purchase low and no emission buses, improve urban and rural ferry systems, adopt innovative approaches to mobility, and carry out local projects funded by member requests.

The bill also includes $3 billion for Capital Investment Grants. I know for my own city, Chicago, this program will be key to continuing to improve, transform, and expand our train and bus services.

The bill provides $100 million for the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program, which will assist communities with developing their transportation networks to improve transportation access for all, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Along the same lines, the bill provides $55 million for the Healthy Streets Program to reduce our carbon footprint and make roadways safer for low-income communities.

The bill takes great strides to invest in our nation’s housing stock, providing $62.7 billion for HUD, an increase of $8.9 billion above fiscal year 2022.

Notably, the bill includes $600 million for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program to protect housing and services for more than 75,000 low-income people living with HIV or AIDS.

I have long advocated for greater funding to support people living with HIV or AIDS, and am pleased to see this reflected in the bill.

The bill also provides $1.7 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program to construct new affordable housing, and includes $50 million for a new down payment assistance program for first-time, first-generation home buyers.

The bill continues our commitment to reducing incidences and the scale of homelessness by making common sense investments, including $3.6 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants and $1.1 billion to help more than 140,000 individuals and families get off lengthy wait lists and into housing.

Finally, the bill provides $3.69 billion for over 1,800 community projects requested by 331 Members on both sides of the aisle, directing funding to key local transportation, housing, and community development priorities.

I am very pleased with how this bill will improve the lives of countless individuals across the country. We are taking action to expand safe and affordable housing and build equitable transportation networks throughout the nation.

I look forward to discussing these issues today.