Political Quotes

“I rise in support of S. 1494, the Housing Program Extension Act, with the House amendments this bill will extend a number of necessary housing programs for this fiscal year. In particular, I support the inclusion of H.R. 117, the Senior Housing Safety Act in this bill, to protect the elderly in public housing from young people with a drug or alcohol problem. As we all know, HUD is sorely in need of restructuring. The bill before us today is a temporary step to keep programs operating for this year. It is critical that we take the next step and completely reform public housing programs. Last November, the House Banking Committee passed H.R. 2406, the U.S. Housing Act. This bill will fundamentally reform, restructure, and streamline Federal housing programs to provide greater flexibility to local housing officials and start the process of giving tenants the opportunity to move out of public housing as soon as they are able. Mr. Speaker, I support this short-term authorization bill, but I urge the House to take up fundamental housing reform, H.R. 2406, as soon as possible.”