Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 (S.4796)
Cultivating Humanitarian Relationships and Environmental Change in Transportation.
We had a Bill Before Congress that could have reduced long term costs to Taxpayers, finally repaired roadways without dipping into local funds, and helped ease the concerns over homelessness
So what happened?
The Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 (S.4796) is a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate by lawmakers responsible for setting the federal budget for transportation and housing programs. It proposes funding for things like improving roads, railways, public transit, affordable housing, and programs to reduce homelessness. The bill was reported to the Senate on July 25, 2024, but has not progressed further in the legislative process.
To prevent a government shutdown, Congress passed a continuing resolution, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 9747), which was signed into law on September 26, 2024. This act extends funding for federal agencies, including those covered by S.4796, at the previous fiscal year's levels through December 20, 2024.
As the December 20 deadline approached, Congress passed another continuing resolution, the American Relief Act, 2025 (H.R. 10545), extending funding through March 14, 2025. This measure ensures the continued operation of federal agencies while appropriations bills, such as S.4796, await further legislative action.
In summary, while S.4796 has not been enacted, temporary funding measures are in place to maintain government operations as they are until mid-March 2025.
This bill is not completely dead. It can be reviewed and reconsidered if enough people reach out to their respective Congressperson. Not sure who that is? Click here.
Here’s a simplified breakdown that summarizes the S.4796 - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025, with some context for taxpayers:
Total Allocations:
Department of Transportation (DOT):
Total: $110.1 billion (up 3.5% from 2024).
Focus: Improving highways, public transit, aviation safety, railroads, and maritime systems.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
Total: $69.8 billion (slightly down from 2024).
Focus: Affordable housing, community development, rental assistance, and homelessness prevention.
Related Agencies (e.g., NTSB, Surface Transportation Board):
Total: $454 million (up 6.1%).
Focus: Safety investigations and homelessness policy coordination.
Key Impacts on Taxpayers:
Transportation Investments:
Better roads, airports, and public transit can reduce delays and improve safety, saving costs in the long term.
Example: $3.9 billion allocated for new transit projects, which could ease urban commuting.
Housing Investments:
Supports affordable housing programs, potentially lowering rental costs in certain areas.
Helps prevent homelessness, which can reduce strain on emergency services and shelters.
Rail and Safety Improvements:
$375.8 million for rail safety is an 88% increase, which aims to reduce train accidents and shipping delays.
Overall, this bill could have indirectly lowered the cost of living over time.
Taxpayer Costs:
This budget increase may contribute to a higher federal deficit unless offset by other revenue (e.g., taxes or spending cuts).
For every $1 billion in federal spending, taxpayers contribute approximately $3 per person on average. With a combined total of ~$180 billion, taxpayers are indirectly footing a ~$540/person share of this budget, assuming no new revenue sources.
Counterpoints to Consider:
Supporters argue: These investments stimulate the economy, improve safety, and address critical housing shortages, which benefit taxpayers long-term.
Critics argue: Increasing spending without offsetting cuts or revenue could worsen the federal deficit and raise future tax burdens.
Sources:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4796
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-118s4796rs
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CCAL-118scal-2024-12-16/pdf/CCAL-118scal-2024-12-16-pt10.pdf
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/9747
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/10545
