House Passes Fiscal Year 2016 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. House of Representatives and Alaska Congressman Don Young passed H.R. 2577, the Fiscal Year 2016 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act, by a vote of 216 to 210. The bill, which provides $53.3 billion in discretionary spending for transportation, aviation, housing, and other related federal projects, also addresses issues of importance to Alaska, including the protection of Alaskan aviation interests and the retention of funding for the Essential Air Service program.

Key Takeaways:

  • Congressman Don Young led the fight to defend Alaskan aviation interests, including efforts to defend UAA Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) graduates harmed by FAA hiring changes, which passed 240 to 186.
  • Young also worked to defeat an amendment offered by Rep. Tom McClintock to eliminate funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, a vital lifeline for many Alaskan rural communities.
  • The bill provides $155 million in discretionary funding for the EAS program, maintains current spending levels, and ensures continued air service for these communities.
  • The H.R. 2577 also prioritizes spending that encourages innovation across the nation's transportation systems, addresses improvements needed to ensure safety, eliminate waste, and improve access for programs relied upon by countless Alaskan families.
  • Items of Alaskan interest included in the H.R. 2577 are the Alaska Flight Service Facility Modernization (AFSFM) with a funding of $2.65 million, and the Alaskan Satellite Telecommunications Infrastructure (ASTI) with a funding of $12.5 million.
  • Other important items included in the H.R. 2577 are the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration.
  • The bill also provides funding for Departments of Housing and Urban Development, including Section 8 and Public and Indian Housing, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Native American Housing (NAHASDA), and Section 184 loans.

Statistics:

  • The H.R. 2577 passed by a vote of 216 to 210.
  • The funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program is $155 million.
  • The H.R. 2577 provides $53.3 billion in discretionary spending for transportation, aviation, housing, and other related federal projects.
  • $26.8 billion is allocated for the Section 8 and Public and Indian Housing programs.
  • $3 billion is allocated for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) with $60 million set aside for tribes.
  • $650 million is allocated for Native American Housing (NAHASDA), maintaining level funding.
  • $8 million is allocated to guarantee up to $1.27 billion in Section 184 loans.

Sources:

  • U.S. House of Representatives news release
  • Congressman Don Young's statement regarding the H.R. 2577
  • H.R. 2577, the Fiscal Year 2016 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act
  • Alaska Flight Service Facility Modernization (AFSFM)
  • Alaskan Satellite Telecommunications Infrastructure (ASTI)
  • Department of Transportation
  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • Federal Railroad Administration
  • Federal Transit Administration
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 and Public and Indian Housing
  • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
  • Native American Housing (NAHASDA)
  • Section 184 loans