House Republicans' 2026 Transportation and Housing Funding Bill Met with Criticism

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has released a draft fiscal year 2026 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill, which has been criticized for increasing the costs of living for Americans and making it more difficult for them to afford housing, commute to work and school, and achieve homeownership. The bill provides $89.9 billion, including $388 million to support maritime defense readiness programs, but cuts federal transportation and housing programs by nearly $6 billion, or 6 percent, from 2025. This cut is expected to push nearly 415,000 low-income households off of assistance or face eviction.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2026 funding bill fails to address the high cost of living for Americans, making it more expensive for them to keep a roof over their heads, commute to work and school, and achieve homeownership.
  • The bill cuts federal transportation and housing programs by nearly $6 billion, or 6 percent, from 2025, which will have devastating effects on many communities throughout the country.
  • The bill threatens to damage the nation's economy by increasing congestion on roads, shrinking the workforce, and stalling supply chain networks.
  • The bill strips away housing protections for people with disabilities, veterans, and families with children, while adding costs and red tape for housing developers to expand affordable housing for American families.
  • Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) criticized the bill, stating that it is "woefully inadequate and will be devastating to many communities throughout the country."
  • Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) stated that the bill "strips away critical investments in housing and community development while cutting Amtrak and other critical transportation resources."
  • The bill was criticized for its lack of focus on the cost-of-living crisis and for making it worse for working-class, middle-class, and vulnerable Americans.

Statistics:

  • $89.9 billion: The total funding provided by the 2026 bill for federal transportation and housing programs.
  • $388 million: The amount allocated to support maritime defense readiness programs at the Department of Transportation.
  • $96.8 billion: The amount provided for federal transportation and housing programs after accounting for housing revenues, a cut of nearly $6 billion from 2025.
  • 415,000: The number of low-income households expected to be pushed off of assistance or face eviction due to the cuts in the 2026 funding bill.
  • 6 percent: The percentage by which the federal transportation and housing programs are cut in the 2026 funding bill.

Sources:

  • U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations
  • A summary of House Republicans' 2026 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill: [link]
  • A fact sheet is here: [link]
  • The text of the bill is here: [link]