Johnson Statement on Obstruction of Important Funding Bill for Transportation and Housing Initiatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 9, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), Chairman of the Senate, Banking Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, released the following statement in reaction to Senate Republicans’ filibuster of an important funding bill that would create jobs, improve transportation infrastructure, provide critical housing assistance to those in need, and invest in community development in South Dakota.

“Today’s filibuster of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill is an example of why so many South Dakotans are angry with Washington,” said Senator Johnson. “This is a commonsense measure that would create jobs, repair our highways and bridges, and help provide a safe place to live for some of our most vulnerable citizens. This bill had strong bipartisan support coming out of the Appropriations Committee, but party politics got in the way and most Senate Republicans pulled their support. This is a bill that will help homeless veterans, make our highways safer to travel on, rebuild aging bridges, and help our communities create economic development and housing opportunities, so it is frustrating and disappointing this bill was blocked.”