Political Quotes

“this legislation is flawed in many respects. It provides $7.5 billion in loans to cities, States, and nonprofits to buy foreclosed homes from mortgage lenders who made bad loans. That will not help people avoid foreclosures. In addition, it provides $7.5 billion in grants to rehabilitate those homes. As such, it is a giveaway to the mortgage industry that made bad loans. Nonetheless, Mr. Speaker, this motion to recommit is a genuine attempt to improve this bill. If the majority insists on going down this path, the least we can do is to give those who have served our Nation the highest priority in receiving housing assistance under this legislation, and to make sure that those who have preyed upon our society as criminals are not helped by the legislation. In its present form, the bill allows homes acquired and rehabilitated with taxpayer money to be purchased by convicted drug dealers, convicted sex offenders, and people who have been convicted of mortgage fraud. Last night our colleague, Mr. Altmire, offered an amendment that prohibits homes made available for sale under this bill, acquired and rehabilitated with taxpayer dollars, from being sold to illegal immigrants. That was a good amendment and I am glad to see that the House just now overwhelmingly adopted it. In advocating for his amendment, Mr. Altmire said that homes made available through this bill should be available only to law abiding U.S. citizens. My colleagues, Mr. Altmire is right.”