Member Day

House Subcommittee on Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

2025-04-09

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

This meeting of the subcommittee convened to hear testimony from members of Congress regarding their priorities for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) for fiscal year 2026. The chairman emphasized the importance of member engagement due to the presence of housing and transportation assets and needs in every district. The ranking member also highlighted the vital programs funded by the subcommittee that impact every district and create opportunities for Americans, including stable housing, homeownership, and transportation safety[ 00:06:49-00:06:55 ] .

Housing Affordability and Support for Vulnerable Populations

Representative Delia Ramirez expressed deep concern over the state of housing, citing the weakening of the housing workforce and the undermining of protections for vulnerable groups like veterans and individuals with disabilities[ 00:12:15-00:12:24 ]

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. She highlighted the impact of federal funding freezes on housing programs in Illinois and the cancellation of fair housing grants, which disproportionately affect historically marginalized communities. Representative Maxine Waters further elaborated on the housing crisis, noting the rise in homelessness, increasing rent and mortgage burdens, and the acquisition of housing by private equity funds. She criticized the lack of federal investment in housing over decades, which has led to public housing disrepair and obstacles for first-time homebuyers. Both representatives called for increased and sustained funding for housing programs, with specific requests for the HOME program, Section 202 and 811 programs, Housing Choice Vouchers, and addressing public housing capital backlog. Ranking Member Clyburn supported these concerns, particularly regarding accessible housing for disabled individuals and the predatory practices of hedge funds buying up homes from retirees. Another committee member added that rising interest rates and homeowners insurance costs are also significant factors contributing to housing unaffordability.

Transportation and Infrastructure Safety

Representative Laura Gillen highlighted a major crisis on Long Island roads, with an alarming increase in fatal crashes and serious injuries over the past decade. She urged for increased funding for road safety programs, including the Bridge Investment Program, Safe Streets and Roads for All Program, and the Highway Safety Improvement Program. She specifically mentioned that 10 bridges on Long Island are in poor condition and need funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Representative Gillen also requested support for community project funding and HUD Economic Development Initiative (EDI) grants to invest in critical infrastructure upgrades and benefit communities. A committee member underscored the importance of safety for construction workers involved in road and bridge projects across the country.

Rural Air Service and Aviation Workforce Development

Representative Harriet Hageman emphasized the critical role of air service in Wyoming, one of the most rural states, contributing significantly to its statewide and local economies. She advocated for meaningful federal investment in programs like the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which supports essential airport infrastructure projects such as terminal expansion, runway rehabilitation, and equipment acquisition. She also addressed the nationwide aviation workforce shortages, particularly for pilots and maintenance technicians, which are uniquely amplified in rural states. Representative Hageman supported FAA's Aviation Workforce Development Programs and the Small Community Air Service Development Program to help smaller communities attract and maintain commercial air service.

FAA Technical Center and Local Economic Development

Representative Andrew Clyde requested continued funding for New Jersey's William J. Hughes FAA Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace, specifically $62 million from the facilities and equipment account for laboratories and infrastructure sustainment. These funds are intended for disaster resiliency, civil service systems sustainment, and electrical system upgrades crucial for air safety and homeland security. He also sought $10 million for the research, engineering, and development account for an emerging technologies accelerator and increased technical personnel levels. Additionally, Representative Clyde requested community project funding through EDI accounts for a dental hygiene school at Atlantic Cape Community College, emergency shelter water infrastructure in Buena Vista Township, and an aviation maintenance training academy, all aimed at addressing workforce shortages and fostering economic development.

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was primarily professional, respectful, and collaborative[ 00:05:44 ] . Members expressed gratitude for the opportunity to testify and for the committee's work[ 00:12:09 ]

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. There was notable bipartisan agreement on the importance of addressing housing and transportation needs[ 00:06:58 ] . Speakers conveyed serious concerns about critical issues such as housing affordability, road safety, and workforce shortages[ 00:12:15 ]

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. Despite the serious nature of the topics, there were moments of lighthearted interaction, including a discussion about sportsmanship and a witty exchange comparing the appropriations process to dental procedures. The overall atmosphere reflected a shared commitment to finding solutions for constituents across the country.

Participants

Transcript

And that thing hits 10.  The subcommittee will come to order.  Good morning.  Welcome to this year's member day hearing.  Today we welcome our colleagues to testify on their priorities for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Transportation for fiscal 26.   Member engagement is key to the appropriations process and especially important for our bill because every district has housing and transportation assets, and as a result of that, they have needs.  As a former mayor, I value the local perspective from districts nationwide.  That's why I'm looking forward to hearing from our colleagues this morning.   So before we get into the testimony, I'd like to recognize the ranking member, the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Clyburn, if he has any comments he'd like to offer before we get into member testimony.
Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Just hit that button over there.  There you go.  That one.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.  As you have stated, this subcommittee provides funding for vital   programs that impact every district across this country.  Programs throughout this bill create opportunities for everyday Americans that include stable housing for seniors and growing families, pathways for home ownership and wealth building, job growth and self-sufficiency, transportation, and air safety.  We welcome feedback   on how we can work on a bipartisan basis to support the work of members of this body, Department of Transportation, Housing and Development, and the other independent agencies.   I look forward to hearing from our colleagues today and I thank you for your leadership.
Thank you, Mr. Clyburn.  Today we kick off with the gentlelady from Illinois, Delia Ramirez.  Welcome to this subcommittee.  Every member will have the standard five minutes to testify.  Your full written remarks will be included in the record.   And we want you to remember to turn the microphone on when you speak.  And when you leave, turn it off.  And things will go just great here this morning.  So Congresswoman Ramirez, I'm going to recognize you for five minutes.
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The Honorable Delia Ramirez
Thank you, Chairman Womack and Ranking Member Clyburn and our Vice Chair, who's also here with us today, for creating a space for members to provide input into the appropriation process and to also be able to provide the written testimony on the agencies and the programs under the jurisdiction of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Programs Subcommittee.   I'd like to start by stating that I am deeply concerned about the state of housing in our country, particularly in light of the recent ongoing actions of the administration that feel like they're weakening the housing workforce and abandoning some of our most vulnerable residents.   Since January 20th, we've witnessed the dismantling of the Department of Housing and Development, and the administration has rolled out some executive orders and others that we have seen already have reduced staff at HUD.  We've seen freezes and delays in federal funding to housing programs, and the release guidance that severely undermines housing protections for some of the most underserved communities in our country, and that includes veterans and individuals with disabilities.   As members of Congress, it is our responsibility to ensure that the funds we appropriate are honored by the executive branch.  And that, in this moment, feels like we're not ceding congressional power to the whims and interests of billionaires at the expense of working families.   I want to tell you why I think this.  In the state of Illinois, almost 400,000 people rely on subsidized housing, 400,000.  There has been at least $60 million in funding that have been thrown into limbo due to the directives of the Trump administration.   Funding uncertainties and contract cancellations delay and stall necessary housing developments that our communities have desperately needed for so many years.  And it feels unconscionable that at a time where we need housing so much, we would be stalling these projects.   The attacks on HUD and its programs are not just attacks on our working families, but they're attacks on the infrastructure of our country.
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The Honorable Delia Ramirez
The attacks on HUD are intentional attacks on civil rights and legal protections, particularly for historically marginalized communities.  Constituents and stakeholders have shared their fear and their uncertainty regarding the future of housing opportunities   especially for persons with AIDS, through the HOPWA program and their Fair Housing Initiative programs.  The HOPWA program was established to provide housing assistance and related supportive services for low-income persons living with HIV AIDS and their families.  And as a proud supporter of AIDS Chicago and AIDS United, it is imperative that our neighbors living with HIV AIDS continue to receive the lifesaving support, including housing.   Any attack on Hapwa is an attack on the black and brown communities that are disproportionately impacted by HIV AIDS epidemic.   Furthermore, I learned that in February, this administration canceled 78 fair housing initiative program grants.  The programs contribute to the creation of equitable and fair access to housing.  The services provided by fair housing centers are indispensable to a large and diverse set of Americans, included but not limited to African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and other racial and ethnic minorities who have historically faced systemic discrimination in Chicago and in housing as a whole.

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