Congresswoman Torres Denounces Extreme Republican Cuts to California’s Infrastructure

Washington, D.C. – RealEstateRama – In response to yesterday’s full committee markup of the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee’s fiscal year 2024 funding bill, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a member of the Subcommittee, released the following statement:

“Inland Empire families can’t count on this House Republican majority to keep our roads, railways, and bridges safe or even help them get to work on time,” said Congresswoman Torres. “The majority has once again caved to the most extreme members of their party, and the resulting bill is a direct attack on the hard-working people of California’s 35th District, especially those who rely on public transit or our roadways every day. This bill, which includes provisions to strip away funding for LGBTQI+ organizations, is more concerned with scoring cheap political points than investing in our nation’s transportation and housing infrastructure. If House Republicans want to keep showing up to ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new infrastructure projects, they should stop cutting the funding that makes those projects possible.”

Specifically, the Republican funding bill:

• Eliminates Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants, which play a key role in keeping Inland Empire families connected, developing affordable housing, and improving transportation access.
• Slashes transit capital investment grants by 82 percent, hindering the development of new public transit infrastructure in regions like California’s 35th District.
• Guts funding for the HOME program, the nation’s only federal program for affordable housing construction, by 67 percent.
• Cuts rail safety funding as train derailments are on the rise.
• Eliminates Thriving Communities grants, which help underserved communities stay connected and reduce pollution.
• Cuts off funding for transit-oriented development, leaving low-income families without public transportation access.
• Includes no funding for the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program, which helps local governments complete strategic infrastructure projects of regional importance.

Through her work on the Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Torres has secured funding to invest in transportation infrastructure across the Inland Empire, including the new West Valley Connector busway connecting San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. She recently attended the grand opening of the Mt. San Antonio College Transit Center, which was made possible through funding she began fighting for during her first term in Congress.