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Congressman Quigley Spoke Out Against Drastic Cuts to TIGER Grants

June 9, 2014
Speeches

WASHINGTON--Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) spoke out against drastic cuts to transportation and infrastructure programs made in the FY 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.

Below is a video and transcript of the speech.

Mr. Speaker: Gentleman from Illinois seeks recognition.

Congressman Mike Quigley: Mr. Speaker, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Speaker: The Gentleman is recognized for five minutes.

Congressman Quigley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At a time when Congress should be working together to make long-term investments in our crumbling infrastructure, today's THUD bill compromises our ability to meet the transportation needs of our local communities.

The bill significantly cuts funding to one of the nation's most vital transportation programs: TIGER grants.

Even worse, this bill significantly changes TIGER grant eligibility to prevent funding for public transit, bike and pedestrian projects.

The significant funding and eligibility changes this bill makes have left this important have left this important program without any teeth. It seems as TIGER is no longer a fitting name, instead we should be referring to this bills national infrastructure investments program simply as kitten grants.

TIGER grants support critical projects that are driving economic growth and job creation across America. This bill includes only $100 million for TIGER grants, a reduction of more than 80 percent from this year's funding level.

This move is ridiculous given that the current funding level can't even keep up with the demand of the incredibly popular program. Already in the current grant application round, the U.S. Department of Transportation has received nearly 800 applications requesting a total of $9.5 billion dollars – a request of more than 15 TIMES what can be awarded.

Additionally, the bill includes a bad policy rider, with language that would restrict TIGER eligibility to roads, highways, bridges, freight rail and ports.

This would be a devastating change for a wide variety of innovative projects including public transportation and passenger rail, bicycle and pedestrian programs.

TIGER grants help us modernize our transportation and infrastructure and create the 21st century highway and public transit systems America desperately needs.

And nowhere are these programs needed more than in cities like my hometown of Chicago. Back home, TIGER grants have supported updates to the Chicago Transit Authority, advanced the sustainable transportation efforts of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and local bikeshare programs, and helped fund the Elgin-O'Hare Western Access Project.

Investing in a 21st century transportation system is essential for our economy, and most importantly, it will create jobs. Remember, every billion dollars invested in our infrastructure creates 30,000 jobs.

I joined the House Appropriations Committee to make the tough funding choices that shape our national priorities. But this year's budget allocations have only taken that power away from us. Forcing us to vote upon on a bill that drastically cuts vital services that people around the country depend upon.

As we consider the THUD bill, we must stand together and demand Congress take action on long term, smart investments that will move our people and country forward.

Thank you Mr. Speaker, and I yield back.

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Issues:Appropriations