House Democrats Criticize Transportation and Housing Funding Bill

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations released a statement criticizing the fiscal year 2026 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill. House Democrats argue that the bill will increase costs for Americans by making it more difficult to access affordable housing and homeownership, and that it will also worsen traffic congestion and economic growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill fails to address the rising cost of living for Americans, and instead threatens to worsen housing affordability and homeownership opportunities.
  • The bill would push nearly 415,000 low-income households off of assistance or face eviction, with the majority being elderly, disabled, or families with children.
  • The bill would eliminate all investments for eviction prevention and cut more than $5 billion from HUD's rental assistance programs.
  • The bill would strip away housing protections for people with disabilities, veterans, and families with children, while adding costs and red tape for housing developers.
  • House Democrats fought to reverse Republican cuts to programs that address the cost-of-living crisis, but their efforts were rejected.
  • The bill would also cut investments in bipartisan infrastructure projects, and threaten to slow the shipment of products American families depend on.

Statistics:

  • 415,000: The number of low-income households that could be pushed off of assistance or face eviction if the bill is passed.
  • $5 billion: The amount by which HUD's rental assistance programs would be cut under the bill.
  • 60%: The percentage of HUD-assisted households that are elderly, disabled, or families with children.
  • 2026: The fiscal year for which the funding bill is intended.

Sources:

  • House Appropriations Committee press release
  • Statement by Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member James E. Clyburn
  • Statement by Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro