Rep. Huffman Defends SMART Rail Project, Votes Against Damaging Transportation Bill
WASHINGTON—Last night, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) voted against the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations Act, which would derail TIGER grant funding sought by the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) project in Northern California. On Monday night, Huffman spoke on the House floor in defense of local investments in public transportation like SMART. T-HUD would slash TIGER grants by 80% as well as restrict eligibility, effectively locking out public transportation and passenger rail projects like SMART rail. Huffman also objected to a provision in the bill that blocks funding for California’s high-speed rail project.
“This transportation bill puts roadblocks in the path of the SMART project and projects similar to it all over this country,” Huffman said. “This bill represents a massive step backward for transportation and infrastructure funding, reducing funds for rail, transit, and highway programs that our communities desperately need. We shouldn't undermine state and local efforts to invest in transportation infrastructure and to promote economic development.”
Huffman also urged the Federal Housing Administration to expand the PowerSaver pilot program to include Native American communities. PowerSaver enables homeowners to borrow up to $25,000 to make energy improvements to their homes, including insulation, energy efficient water heaters, and solar panels.
Many Native American communities, including the Karuk Tribe in Congressman Huffman’s district, are investing in sustainable and energy-efficient housing. Expanding the PowerSaver pilot to include these communities will allow them to lower their electric bills, increase the value of their homes, and reduce dependence on dirty energy sources.
Video of Congressman Huffman’s speech can be found HERE:
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A transcript of Huffman’s speech can be found below:
“Mr. Chairman, this bill represents a massive step backward for transportation and infrastructure funding, reducing funds for rail, transit, and highway programs that our communities desperately need.
“In addition to slashing TIGER grants by 80 percent, the bill restricts eligibility for these grants, effectively locking out public transportation and passenger rail projects from this critical funding stream.
“In my district, Sonoma and Marin Counties have come together to support the SMART rail project. This is a new public transit project that will provide a critical service to commuters, to students going to school, to tourists that are visiting and spending money in the local economy.
“The counties are putting a significant share forward in local funding. Over 90 percent of the cost of the project has come from these local sources, but they need the ability to access Federal assistance like TIGER grants to extend the first phase and close gaps in this important new system.
“This bill puts roadblocks in the path of the SMART project and projects similar to it all over this country. In addition, this bill contains a rider blocking funding for California's high-speed rail project.
“We shouldn't undermine state and local efforts to invest in transportation infrastructure and to promote economic development, and I urge a ``no'' vote on this unwise and unwarranted bill.
“With my remaining time, Mr. Chairman, I also want to encourage the FHA to expand their PowerSaver pilot program to address the unique condition of many Native American communities, where housing is often in great need and capital is difficult to access.
“Congress should enable homeowners to make cost-effective energy-saving improvements to their houses. This body took an important step in 2009 by creating the PowerSaver pilot program, which has helped in financing and construction of energy-efficient homes. Since that time, homeowners all over the country have taken advantage of the program, worked with private lenders to purchase ENERGY STAR-certified furnaces, air conditioners, improve insulation, and install solar units.
“This, in turn, has spurred investment in our housing sector. It has created jobs and saved money for homeowners. These are goals all of us should support.
“We should be expanding this program to Native American communities. Native American communities across the country, including the Karuk Tribe in my district, have embraced sustainable and energy-efficient housing. This is lowering their electrical bills, increasing the value of their homes, and reducing dependency on dirty energy sources.
“To enable other tribes, though, to make similar investments in their homes, the FHA will need to make substantive changes to the PowerSaver program, and I am very pleased that this underlying bill that we are considering already demonstrates support for Native American communities by fully funding the Indian Housing Block Grant and section 184 programs, but I encourage the FHA to go further to build on that support by ensuring that these programs, like PowerSaver, are implemented with all communities in mind.
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time.”
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