Ranking Member Mike Quigley Statement at Tribal Perspectives On Housing and Transportation Hearing

Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcomittee's oversight hearing on Tribal perspectives on housing and transportation:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman…we're wishing you a happy birthday. And Mr. Chairman, before I begin my prepared statement. You used the word responsibility in talking about our country and Tribal communities. I think that responsibility stems from the extraordinarily tragic history that we have to address, to this day. I'd love to be part of what we do moving forward

I want to extend my appreciation to you for convening a diverse panel. I also just want to say how impressed I have been by your commitment to tribal issues as it relates to our bill. Tribal communities are fortunate to have such a strong advocate in you, ensuring that Congress focuses on the challenges faced. It has been very educational for me so much and I look forward to learning more.

There is much to learn about the needs of Tribal communities – not only related to basic housing and infrastructure – but how the lack of modern and resilient housing and transportation systems impact the lives of Native Americans.

According to a 2017 HUD report, between 42 thousand and 85 thousand Native Americans live with family or friends out of necessity, are unhoused, or live places not meant for long-term shelter.

At that time, it was also estimated that 68 thousand units of new affordable housing were needed to replace substandard or overcrowded housing. A need that has likely increased over the last 6 years.

I can only imagine the compounding effects this has on the daily lives of children, the elderly, and the disabled.

According to the Department of Transportation, Tribes have also faced prolonged disinvestment in transportation infrastructure – 60 percent of the roads on Tribal lands are unpaved and there are a disproportionate number of roadway fatalities.

To know that a Native American child is less likely to return home from school because of a roadway accident compared to non-native counterparts is unacceptable.

More can and must be done to improve the safety and livelihood of these communities.

We are here today to understand how this subcommittee can better address the existing and emerging needs of Tribal communities. We also hope to hear lessons learned that we can apply to programs at HUD and DOT.

Your experiences and knowledge are invaluable to this understanding.

Thank you all again for being here today and a special thank you to Doctor Wesaw for traveling from the Midwest to share your perspective, which will be influential to my understanding of these issues in and around my district.

I look forward to hearing your testimonies.