Majority Leader, United States Congress

The House passed H.R. 2577, the Transportation, Housing, & Urban Development funding bill.

America is a big country that relies on efficient and flexible transportation options to exchange goods, visit family, or simply head out to work. For many, it can take a lot to get from point A to point B, so our country needs continued investment to make sure people can travel where they need without a problem.

The House voted to support our interstate highway system, maintain efficient and safe air and rail transportation, and ensure that our housing safety net will be there for elderly and disabled tenants of public housing. But it’s more than just a funding bill. This bill prioritizes projects to ensure tax dollars from hardworking Americans aren’t wasted on projects that don’t reflect today’s reality and tomorrow’s potential.

In my home state of California where driving is essential to our daily lives, we know that some dollars spent on transportation are more effective than others. For example, it’s better to fix the roads and ensure rail safety than it is to waste millions on a high-speed rail boondoggle. That is why the House has routinely blocked federal taxpayer dollars from being wasted on California’s high-speed rail, helping to make sure we spend every taxpayer dollar in the most productive way possible.

Chairman Hal Rogers (KY-05), the House Appropriations Committee, and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) have crafted a strong appropriations bill here that ensures we get the most mileage out of every cent we spend on transportation.