I rise to support the VA-HUD conference report. I commend the conferees for the improvements they made to the House passed bill.

However, I continue to be concerned that these improvements do not adequately fund America's housing needs.

While these increases will prove useful, we all recognize that the need for Section 8, public housing, HOPWA, and homelessness are significantly greater.

I was disappointed that the Republican House leadership initially had cut housing assistance to low-income Americans.

It does not make sense to cut funding to assist homeless persons, the working poor, and persons with AIDS.

I remain disappointed, but support this revised legislation.

Despite the accomplishments of this bill, millions of Americans still pay more than half their income for rent and too many Americans remain homeless.

I hope my colleagues will take the next step and pass legislation as soon as possible to authorize this needed initiative.

I hope future budgets will provide more funding to help low-income Americans obtain affordable housing.

This acknowledgment of the type of technological disaster that we are in right now started 2 years ago.

This is insanity. It is an insane policy to call this type of regime our strategic partner.

How can we, if we believe that to be true, consider the world's worst human rights abuser as our strategic partner?

I consider that to be wishful thinking. I disagree with that concept.

I am deeply concerned about America's relationship with Communist China.

I am introducing legislation today... to cancel this lease with this Chinese front company.

We have a policy that makes no sense, that is contrary to our interests in dealing with a regime on the mainland of China that hates everything that the United States stands for.

We must be tough and we must be strong, and we must demand a trade relationship that is mutually beneficial.

We will pay dearly for this nonsense. Our young people will face a threat that they should not have to face because of this indefensible, totally indefensible policy.