Mark Udall: “the Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Bill simply does not do…”

“the Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Bill simply does not do enough. The Majority has delivered a bill that shortchanges valuable programs. Not only is the core bill itself underfunded, but today's amendment process has forced Members to vote on amendments that simply shift already-limited resources from one important program to another. This "robbing Peter to pay Paul" approach doesn't satisfy the real needs of these programs or the needs of the citizens of this country. This bill does not make adequate strides to ensure that affordable housing can be a reality in our country and the dream of first-time homeownership is attainable. This bill fails to fund the Administration's request for 120,000 incremental rental assistance vouchers, including 10,000 vouchers for housing production of the first new affordable housing for families since 1996. The bill slashes HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program by $395 million from the President's request. This cut in funding restricts communities' abilities to redevelop downtown areas, open after-school recreation programs, and shelter the homeless.”