Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Floor Speech
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Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Chair, I thank Ranking Member DeLauro and Chairman Cole for their leadership.
Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of this bipartisan legislation that will make critical investments in housing and transportation across America.
As ranking member of the Transportation and Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, I will first thank my partner, Chairman Steve Womack, for his leadership and collaborative relationship this year.
As many of you know by now, Chairman Womack lost his wife this past Sunday as we were closing out this bill. He remained by his wife's side during the extremely difficult time, while ensuring we walked away from the negotiation table with a product we can feel proud about.
Madam Chair, having been through that which Chairman Womack is experiencing, I am encouraged and emboldened by his commitment to get this bill across the finish line while managing his affairs back home.
The Transportation and Housing division of this bill includes $113 billion in discretionary spending. This represents an $11 billion increase in the House Republican bill and is $43 billion more than the President's budget request.
The bill reflects a renewed commitment to addressing the cost-of- living crisis and improving the safety of our transportation systems. For housing, the bill prevents the eviction of more than 4 million low- income households served through HUD's rental assistance programs, including those currently served by Section 8 and public housing.
Madam Chair, the bill reinforces efforts to combat homelessness by increasing funding for the Homeless Assistance Grants by $366 million, rejecting the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate Continuum of Care funding entirely.
It protects investments for mayors and governors by providing $3.3 billion for the popular Community Development Block Grants, or CDBG, and sustains funding for the HOME program at $1.3 billion, which spurs affordable housing construction.
It includes $58 million for housing counseling assistance for renters and first-time homebuyers and $8 million to continue legal aid assistance for eviction prevention.
For transportation, the bill invests in the safety of the flying public by increasing FAA operations by nearly $230 million, enabling the hiring of 2,500 new air traffic controllers.
It increases funding for the air traffic control towers and facilities by $824 million above fiscal year 2025, a 26 percent increase.
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Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Chair, it protects investments for continuing Amtrak service along the Northeast Corridor and national network by providing $2.4 billion.
It allocates $3.7 billion in Transit Capital Investment Grants that improve commute times and reduces congestion on our roads.
It includes $100 million for the 2026 World Cup and $94 million for the 2028 Olympics to help transit agencies manage local transportation in support of games across the country.
In closing, this year's Transportation and Housing bill advances investments in our housing and transportation infrastructure, while increasing safety and housing security.
Before I close, I thank the staff on both sides of the aisle for their immeasurable contributions to this bill.
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Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Chair, this includes Christina Monroe, Jackie Kilroy, and Nora Faye, along with Barvetta Singletary on my personal staff. It also includes Doug, Avery, Andrew, and Mary Beth with the majority.
Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
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