WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, voted in favor of a bill to fund the nation’s transportation programs and federal housing initiatives. The Senate passed the funding bill, H.R. 2577, by a vote of 89-8.

“This bill invests in our nation’s infrastructure in ways that will enhance competitiveness and create jobs,” Wicker said. “It also helps meet the housing needs of vulnerable Americans and provides funding for critical economic development projects. I am pleased that the Senate is working responsibly and cooperatively, passing legislation in a timely, bipartisan fashion to fund the government.”

The “Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act” (THUD) promotes rail and transit programs, including funding to address the backlog of rail infrastructure projects and to enhance passenger rail safety nationwide. The legislation also makes significant investments in housing programs for homeless veterans and youth.

Wicker backed an amendment authored by Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, that would have defunded the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulation – a rule that dramatically expands the Obama Administration’s control over local zoning ordinances. The amendment was defeated on a procedural motion, which Wicker opposed.

The THUD Appropriations Bill for FY2017 also includes funding for programs such as:

• Maritime Security Program (MSP): MSP is a vital component of our military strategic sealift and global response capability. It is designed to ensure that America has a robust U.S.-flagged commercial sealift capability and trained U.S. citizen merchant mariners available in times of war or national emergencies. MSP also ensures that the U.S. can provide our troops overseas with the supplies and equipment necessary to do their jobs on behalf of our nation. 
• Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grants & Restoration and Enhancement Grants: These grant programs were developed with efforts like Gulf Coast rail service restoration in mind. The grants address critical gaps in supporting and growing our nation’s passenger rail infrastructure, promoting project development and capital construction, as well as fiscally responsible operating assistance for new, restarted, and expanded service.
• National Infrastructure Investments: The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program is a unique, cost-effective, and competitive program that leverages private, state, and local investment to solve complex transportation and economic development challenges. For every federal dollar invested, two non-federal dollars go into a TIGER project.