Political Quotes

“the VA-HUD Appropriations bill, H.R. 2684, that we are considering today has many shortcomings that prevent me from voting for it in its present form. The major agency that takes the largest cuts in the bill is NASA. Total appropriations for FY 2000 under the bill are $1 billion, or 7% less than the FY 1999 level. These cuts, I believe, would jeopardize the future of our space research programs, including programs directed at solving problems here on earth, that are pushing forward the frontiers of knowledge about our universe. These cuts to NASA's budget are being made despite recent legislation passed by the House, which I supported, that authorized higher levels of spending than those being proposed by Congress. The VA-HUD Appropriations bill also fails to fund any incremental housing vouchers and would impose a 5% cut in the critical Community Development Block Grant program. According to HUD, the overall cuts would result in an estimated 156,000 fewer housing units for low-income families, at a time when their housing needs are at all-time high. As a result of these cuts persons with AIDS and 16,000 homeless families would not receive vital housing and related services. In addition, 97,000 jobs would not be generated in communities that need them. If passed by the full Congress, I believe these cuts would have a devastating impact on families and communities nationwide.”