Obama Threatens to Veto GOP Spending Bill for Transportation, HUD

President Obama has threatened to veto a $55 billion Republican funding bill for the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. The White House recently stated that Obama would reject the measure, which is known as THUD, on the grounds that it underfunds federal transportation and housing programs.

The GOP measure, which was approved by the House Appropriations Committee in May, provides $55.3 billion in funding for the departments. The bill provides $1.5 billion more than the current 2015 spending level, but $9.7 billion less than President Obama’s request.

“At a time when only one in four families who are eligible for housing assistance actually receives it, the bill would set back efforts to end homelessness and shortchange housing support for very low-income households, including families with children, the elderly, and the disabled,” the policy statement said.

“The bill also reduces funding for other vulnerable populations, such as low-income children at risk of lead poisoning, and for programs that invest in public housing to revitalize distressed communities,” the statement continued.