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26 HUD APPROPRIATIONS BILL PASSES IN SENATE COMMITTEE e U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations recently approved the FY2016 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. e major goals of the bill are to increase the efficiency and affordability of federal housing programs and provide funding for transportation and infrastructure priorities, working within the guidelines of the Budget Control Act. e bill was approved on a 20-10 vote. According to a press release from the committee, this action will make $55.65 billion in funds available for consideration by the Senate, a $1.88 billion increase from FY2015 and $7 billion below the amount President Obama requested. e legislation provides $37.56 billion for HUD specifically, an increase of nearly $2 billion from the FY2015 enacted level and $3 billion below the President's request. "e American economy relies on the effectiveness of our infrastructure, which makes this legislation important," said Sen. ad Cochran (R-Mississippi), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "e demands for more infrastructure investment are significant. e budget requires us to set priorities and this Senate bill makes those choices and focuses on using the taxpayer money wisely." e bill provides additional funding for housing America's most vulnerable individuals and families, while improving housing programs' effectiveness, according to the committee. e measure also recommends $40.26 billion for federal-aid highway programs and increases funding for U.S. aviation, rail safety and the nation's ports, and intermodal water and land transportation. "rough negotiation and compromise, this bipartisan bill makes smart investments in our nation's infrastructure, helps meet the housing needs of the most vulnerable among us, and provides funding for economic development projects in our communities," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee. "From rental assistance for low-income families to safety-related provisions for our transportation infrastructure, the many critical programs funded by this bill were balanced to fund the wide range of operations that play a crucial role in reinvigorating our economy." HUD Secretary Julián Castro voiced his concerns with the proposed FY16 budget, noting the Republican budget would only make matters worse. He also said a deep cut is being made to a vital housing program, HOME Investment Partnerships Program. e program's budget is being slashed from $1.05 billion down to $66 million per President Obama's request, which would lead to a loss of an estimated 38,665 affordable housing units. "HUD creates new opportunities for the people we serve every single day. Yet, in this difficult fiscal environment, our budget is unable to keep up with the need for our services," Castro said. "At current funding levels, we are only able to serve one in four families who are eligible for our housing. We cannot meet our mission of providing every American with access to quality housing and a strong community by allowing sequestration level cuts to continue."

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