On the recordJuly 29, 2010
Mr. Chairman, I will tell you simply that the HUD programs have not worked for the central valley of California. The foreclosure programs by HUD have not worked for the United States people. Many of us in Congress warned the administration that they wouldn't work, and they continued to pursue them in any case, and they have simply failed the job. Thirty percent of the housing units in my district have been foreclosed on. It is unconscionable that we could not have done more to step in and assist the people of my district, of the people of California, of Ohio, of Florida, and of Nevada. I think that the Secretary should give his full attention to this problem. Last March, he took a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He took a whole delegation on an international housing study conference. I think he should have stayed right here in the United States and focused on the problems of the millions of Americans who are losing their homes. So, Mr. Chairman, I think it is time for HUD to stay at home and to do their jobs. If it requires us to eliminate their travel funds in order to get their attention to focus on the housing crisis, so be it.
