Climate and the Environment — Matt Ortega for Congress

National high-speed rail

Our nation is dramatically behind other developed nations in high-speed rail infrastructure. China, Japan, France, and Spain invested in extensive networks of rail with speeds over 150 miles per hour. The only operational route in the United States is Amtrak’s Acela in limited stretches on the Northeast Corridor with lower averages because of aging infrastructure.

Much like the frontier in the late 19th century when the first rail tracks were set, it will create economic corridors and link major metropolitan areas. National high-speed rail will allow workers to live further away from job centers with reasonable commutes as employers increasingly return to in-office attendance.

National high-speed rail is also a climate imperative as transportation accounts for the largest share (28 percent) of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions with aviation and automobiles as the major contributors. High-speed rail produces dramatically lower emissions per passenger per mile for trips under 500 miles than cars and planes. Electric high-speed rail reduces the nation’s vulnerability to oil price fluctuations and supply disruptions with less reliance on fossil fuels contributing to climate change.

The U.S. must commit itself to high-speed rail as a critical national infrastructure priority comparable to the Interstate Highway System of the 1950s.

Matt is fighting for national high-speed rail. We cannot afford to continue to fall behind international competitors and lose the future. It is a national security imperative for our nation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by moving away from fossil fuels. National high-speed rail can help us get there.

Create a dedicated funding stream to build national high-speed rail with a High-Speed Rail Trust Fund similar to the Highway Trust Fund
Establish streamline reviews to minimize endless delays
- Consolidate overlapping state and federal reviews
- Set firm deadlines with a one federal decision framework
Offer low-interest loans for high-speed rail construction through an expansion of the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF)
Authorize tax-exempt bonding authority for high-speed rail projects
Federal funding to support U.S. manufacturing development of trains and components under international technical standards
Authorize value capture for the increases in property values near stations to assist funding mechanisms as used in Hong Kong and Tokyo

Build millions of affordable and sustainable homes

Housing is too expensive. It is a financial strain that this administration made clear it has no intention to alleviate. Studies show it is a primary driver of houselessness: “high in urban areas where rents are high and homelessness rises when rents rise.” Recent data shows the median age of a first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old for the first time in history. The median age of all homebuyers jumped from 49 to 59, another record high.

Estimates on housing inventory show a shortfall which estimates range from 2.8 million to 6.5 million homes. Data from cities like Austin, Sarasota, and Berkeley showed that when housing supply is increased through a construction boom, housing prices go down.

Prices for housing construction materials, however, are up 41.6 percent. Upward pressure by inflation, exacerbated by this administration’s belligerent tariff regime, pushes housing costs up. The need for sustainable living spaces which require more expensive components also plays a role.

A 2025 study into the costs of multifamily housing construction found California to be the most expensive state. Higher cost per square foot and 22 month longer development timelines than Texas.

Matt will fight for federal investment in housing construction, assistance for and incentives to sell to first-time homebuyers, and put an end to these disastrous tariffs. As a renter, Matt knows the difficulty searching for affordable housing first-hand. Both he and his wife grew up in homes their parents owned. Yet, like many families, homeownership is out of reach for them.

Put the power of the federal government behind a nationwide effort to build millions of more affordable housing.

Federal funding for the construction of millions of affordable and sustainable homes
Work with state and local authorities on zoning reform, reduce regulatory and fee burdens while maintaining labor protections and environmental standards
Adopt sustainable smart growth strategies with housing and retail developed in and near transit hubs
Revoke the disastrous tariffs which increase the cost of building materials like timber from Canada
Invest in apprenticeships and training programs to shore up labor shortages
Federal downpayment assistance to first-time homebuyers
Provide financial incentives for developers and homeowners to sell to first-time homebuyers