WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today announced she will serve as Chairman of the Housing, Transportation, and Community Development Subcommittee on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in the 119th Congress.
The subcommittee has primary jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and issues related to affordable and accessible housing, mortgage servicing, transit, and urban development.
“Our nation is facing an affordable housing crisis. Inflation, paired with low inventory and significant over-regulation, has put access to housing and homeownership even further out of reach for hardworking Americans,” said Senator Britt. “As Chair of the Housing, Transportation, and Community Development Subcommittee, I look forward to exploring innovative ways to increase the country’s housing stock, while eliminating costly leftwing regulations and streamlining longstanding inefficiencies within our federal housing and transit agencies.”
“While we know current cost drivers and bureaucratic red tape are affecting families, homebuilders, and housing markets across the country, we’ve seen firsthand in Alabama that rural communities have been particularly impacted,” Senator Britt continued. “I will continue to promote legislative solutions that spur economic development and drive investment in both our urban and rural areas, which are often overlooked. Each and every U.S. citizen deserves access to affordable housing, reliable transit, and ultimately, the ability to achieve their American Dream. I look forward to working under the leadership of Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and with my Subcommittee Ranking Member Tina Smith.”
Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) exuded excitement for what’s ahead in the Committee, including for Subcommittee Chair Britt. He said, “In the 119th Congress, we have an opportunity to deliver tangible results for the American people. As we return the committee to regular order, our subcommittees will have a key role in vetting and developing legislation within our jurisdiction. Our Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development will be critical to addressing our nation’s housing crisis, and I look forward to working with Subcommittee Chairman Britt to ensure the committee is at the forefront of legislation to increase access to affordable housing, promote economic opportunity, and uplift all Americans.”
Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn) will be Subcommittee Chair Britt’s counterpart, serving as Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development.
“Without a safe, decent and affordable place to live, nothing in your life works. It becomes nearly impossible to hold a job, go to school, or stay healthy,” said Senator Smith. “Our country is facing a housing crisis, with supply falling dramatically behind demand. I’ve spent my years in the Senate working with anyone who wants to work with me, regardless of party, to find ways to address the housing crisis.”
“For several years, the Housing, Transportation and Community Development Subcommittee has been working in a bipartisan way on important measures to preserve affordable rural housing in small towns and Tribal communities, to cut red tape that hinders construction of more housing, and to make it easier to get around. I’m excited to keep working on solutions alongside new Chair Katie Britt,”continued Senator Smith.
Senator Britt has also been appointed to serve on the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection and the Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment.
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