Reed prioritizes infrastructure investments to help RI & includes a study to explore options for bringing Amtrak train service to T.F. Green Airport

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate today kicked off floor action on its fiscal year 2016 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) appropriations bill.  The legislation includes funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), along with other related agencies, and overall it would provide $57.27 billion in discretionary spending.

“Affordable, stable housing and a safe and efficient transportation network are vital to American families, our communities, and the success of our economy.  The THUD bill is about making critical investments in our transportation and housing infrastructure that yield a high rate of return for the American people,” said Reed, the Ranking Member of the THUD Appropriations Subcommittee, who, along with THUD Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME), is managing the bill on the floor.

Reed noted that the recent passage of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, which he advocated for, resulted in a $1.62 billion increase for this year’s THUD bill to improve our nation’s transportation and housing infrastructure.  And in an effort to strengthen the U.S. economy and repair our nation’s highways, bridges, and roads, Senator Reed is pushing for a robust, long-term surface transportation authorization bill to replenish the Highway Trust Fund before it runs dry. 

“This appropriations bill makes important contributions toward improving the safety of our roads and helping communities better connect people to jobs and housing opportunities.  These investments can serve as a catalyst for economic development, while enhancing and preserving community assets.  I hope Congress will work together toward a long-term surface transportation bill that invests in our infrastructure,” said Reed, noting that this fiscal year 2016 spending bill provides critical transportation investments for highway programs, aviation, rail safety, American ports, and intermodal water and land programs, as well as the following:

  • $41 billion in highway grants and another $8.6 billion in transit formula grants that states and local governments rely on every year.
  • $16 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), fully funding the agency’s budget request for air traffic control, safety oversight, and its facilities and equipment. 
  • $2.4 billion for Amtrak to fund state of good repair projects and work towards the replacement of century-old bridges and tunnels along the northeast corridor.
  • $908 million for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which will allow for the agency to improve vehicle safety defect investigations and analysis.
  • $600 million for the TIGER program, which funds local solutions to transportation problems. 

The bill also includes $38.5 billion to help HUD meet the housing needs of low-income, disabled, and older Americans, and to shelter the homeless and prevent vulnerable citizens from becoming homeless.

“We need to improve housing stability for our most vulnerable citizens, and this allocation will allow us to continue HUD’s housing and homeless assistance programs, which are vital to our nation’s safety net,” stated Reed.

The bill makes important investments in our communities though programs like the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) and the public housing capital fund.  It also includes additional resources for affordable housing production and rehabilitation through the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program—an important program that helps Rhode Island and other states meet their affordable housing needs. 

HUD currently offers rental assistance to more than 36,000 households, including seniors and the disabled, in Rhode Island.

The bill also protects some of our most vulnerable citizens by providing critical resources to prevent and end homelessness – among veterans and youth in particular.  This bill provides $75 million to restore 10,000 HUD-VASH vouchers to move us closer to eliminating homelessness among our nation’s veterans.   And for youth experiencing homelessness, the bill includes targeted resources for local communities to create housing and services– to help get them back on their feet.  It makes it possible for HUD to support youth aging out of foster care, so young people aren’t discharged into homelessness.  It also improves coordination across government so that officials, housing, and service providers can work together to prevent young people from falling through the cracks. 

“Homelessness is a barrier to education, employment, and opportunity,” said Reed.  “By helping youth overcome these barriers, they are on a better path to self-sufficiency.”

And to help identify and eliminate preventable health hazards – such as lead paint – Reed worked to ensure the bill includes $110 million for the Office of Lead Hazard Reduction and Healthy Homes.

Rhode Island relies heavily on federal funding for surface transportation projects.  Under the bill, Rhode Island is projected to receive approximately $210 million in highway grants and $36 million in transit grants this year.

The bill includes $5.7 million to implement a pilot program that Senator Reed created through the HAVEN Act that would support repairs and modifications, such as the installation of wheelchair ramps, to the homes of low-income veterans or veterans with disabilities.

It also allocates $5 million to restart the Small Shipyard Grant program, which has helped shipyards across Rhode Island recapitalize and become more competitive.

Reed also included language in the bill directing the Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak to assess the feasibility of connecting intercity passenger rail services at commercial airports that are adjacent to the mainline of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC).  This will fund the feasibility study that Amtrak needs to do to expand services to T.F. Green.

“We need to do more to improve our level of commuter service in a cost effective way.  I am pleased we were able to include a study examining what it would take, in terms of logistics and ridership, to bring reliable, regularly scheduled Amtrak service to connect T.F. Green Airport to Boston, New York, and points in between.  Creating a stronger trains-to-planes partnership at T.F. Green could enhance transportation options for consumers and build on some of the other infrastructure investments the state has already made,” said Reed.  “This independent study will help determine what the viability is and what the hurdles may be.”

Another Reed-backed provision urges DOT to finalize regulations that prohibit smoking e-cigarettes aboard an aircraft.

The bill is scheduled to be debated in the U.S. Senate this week.

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