Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026

Floor Speech

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Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time.

Madam Speaker, as ranking member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I rise in strong support of this bipartisan legislation in large measure because it freezes funding for the Department of Homeland Security at its current level while allowing for several days, 10 to be exact, for us to continue to zero in on that segment of the legislation and hopefully reach a bipartisan agreement.

We have already reached bipartisan agreements on five other sections, and one of those in this bill includes $113 billion in discretionary spending for transportation and housing programs and reflects a renewed commitment to addressing the affordability 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.

The bill reinforces efforts to combat homelessness by increasing funding for homeless assistance grants by $366 million.

It protects investments for mayors and Governors by providing $3.3 billion for the popular Community Development Block Grants program.

It includes $58 million for housing counseling assistance for renters and first-time home buyers and $8 billion to continue legal aid for evictions assistance.

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 air traffic control towers and facilities by 26 percent above fiscal year 2025.

The bill also protects investments for continuing Amtrak service along the Northeast Corridor and national network by providing $2.4 billion.

The bill also 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.

Madam Speaker, this year's Transportation-Housing bill will provide greater economic certainty to communities across the country and improve the day-to-day lives of everyday people. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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