Granger Remarks at FY23 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee Markup

Jun 23, 2022
Statements

Thank you, my good friend, Mr. Diaz-Balart, for having us think about what's happening right now. We all work together and develop these bills that are so important, but we also work together as family. So thank you for that recognition. I know we’re thinking about Chairman Price. 

this bill is important because it has programs that will keep our roads and airways safe and invest in critical assets like ports, airports, and highways. It’s a very important bill.

Some of the housing investments in the bill will provide crucial support to our most vulnerable citizens. This includes homeless veterans, the elderly, and the disabled. However, I am deeply concerned by the dramatic funding increases in this bill that expand the reach of the federal government and could add to our record-high inflation. I think we need to look at all of our spending and make sure this is the most important thing we can do with it. We recognize the cost.

The funding in the bill for rail and transit is in addition to the hundreds of billions already provided over the last year outside of the appropriations process. This bill gives THUD programs double-digit percentage increases. While I support programs that help our most vulnerable citizens, we cannot afford a dramatic expansion of housing subsidies.

American families are really struggling to make ends meet due to record-high inflation, and we must find ways to rein in government spending so we don’t make the problem worse. As we move forward with this year’s appropriations bills, we must agree to set aside controversial policies, retain language from prior years, and get consensus on topline funding levels.

I think that once that framework is in place, I am confident that the chairman and ranking member can work to modify this bill so that we can responsibly meet the transportation and housing needs of the American people. I know we can do this, and we can work together.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.