Quigley: T-HUD Appropriations Bill Drastically Cuts Critical Infrastructure and Housing Programs

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Quigley: T-HUD Appropriations Bill Drastically Cuts Critical Infrastructure and Housing Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 21, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement in response to yesterday’s T-HUD Appropriations subcommittee markup of the FY 2014 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill:

“While I realize this year’s Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill is an attempt on the part of the Subcommittee to do the best they can with the dismal numbers they were given, the fact is this harmful bill will have critically damaging consequences for our nation. This bill is being touted as a budgetary trade-off, but there are no trade offs in this bill, only cuts.

“At a time when investments in our infrastructure are needed more than ever, this bill significantly cuts funding to some of the nation’s most vital transportation programs. TIGER grants, which help fund important projects like the Elgin-O’Hare Western Access Project in my district, have not only been zeroed out in FY14, but $237 million in unobligated FY13 TIGER funding is being rescinded. Amtrak operations are being cut by 21 percent. And funding for Core Capacity Grants, which fund desperately needed improvements to transit systems like the CTA, are nonexistent in this bill.

“The housing numbers are no better and in some cases even worse. Community Development Block Grants, which fund housing investments in communities across the country, are being slashed by almost 45 percent. The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program will lose $32 million in critical funding used to house some of the most vulnerable among us. Yes, this bill allows those who are already in public housing to stay in their homes, but what about those whose dire financial situations will force them to seek public housing this year? We’re turning our backs on them, and we’re doing it so that we can fund wasteful defense programs not even requested by the Pentagon.

“I joined this powerful committee to make the tough funding choices that shape our national priorities. This year’s budget allocations have only taken that power away from us, forcing us to vote on a bill that drastically cuts vital services that people around the country depend on.”

Now in his third term in Congress, Rep. Quigley serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, where he has prioritized Chicago-area infrastructure investment as a member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. Rep. Quigley is also a member of the New Democrat Coalition, which sees infrastructure investment as a path to global economic competitiveness and America’s future security.

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