Political Quotes

“I rise first to thank my friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Kennedy], for all of the work that he is doing in this Nation on behalf of poor people and working people, particularly paying attention to their housing needs. Really I thank the gentleman from New York, Mr. Lazio, for the job he is doing, and I agree with my friend, Mr. Kennedy, we could clean up this legislation and, with the Kennedy-Gutierrez amendment, perhaps we could all support this bill. Mr. Chairman, for now I must rise in strong opposition to this bill. H.R. 2406 completely restructures public and tenant-based housing in ways that will have detrimental consequences for the very families they are intended to serve. We all recognize there is a need for reform, but this bill, H.R. 2406, goes too far. This bill will put poor families in jeopardy of losing their housing because they will be unable to pay higher rents. Applicants who have been on waiting lists for years, may never get housing assistance under this bill because they are not in the desired income range. I am most concerned with the provisions in this bill that give housing authorities broad authority to set minimum and maximum rent without the protection of the Brooke amendment. Under H.R. 2406, residents, regardless of their income or circumstances, can be charged whatever rent housing authorities set. At a minimum, all residents will pay $25 to $50 in rent.”