Political Quotes

“Due to redistricting just last year, I now represent what I believe is the largest veterans' facility in the West, the West Los Angeles VA. I have seen exemplified in my own district a problem in large quantity that should strike at the hearts of all of us, and that is homeless veterans. To see any American out on the street is a shame, but when that American has put their life on the line for this country, it is a shame that we need to correct. This Congress has provided significant money to build housing for veterans. We need to do more. I will focus on one particular problem with the HUD-VASH program that we fund. It sets a limit on the income that a veteran can have, and it is understood we are building this housing for low-income veterans. Included in that income calculation are disability benefits. We have a situation right in my district where disabled American veterans are living on the streets and can't get into veteran housing on veteran land because they are receiving veteran disability benefits for the disabilities they suffered in the service of the American people. I have proposed legislation, which passed unanimously, 49-0, through the Financial Services Committee, to say that disability benefits not be included in that income calculation. Two things to be aware of: First, the income of a disabled veteran can be calculated, but what must be kept in mind is that they face higher expenses.…”