James A. Leach

I would like to offer a perspective from my State of Iowa on the important work of the House today. It is my belief that few tax changes ever contemplated by Congress fit the rural economy as well as this one. Of particular import is the…

If ever an individual personified the ideal that the human condition can overcome any handicap, it was Tom Rogers. Tom was everybody's all-American boy. An active athlete and budding scholar, Tom left Moline in 1952 to attend Cornell…

there is probably no bilateral relationship more important than that between China and the United States. The evolution of Sino-American relations over the next decade will be of profound import not only for stability in the Asia-Pacific…

Mr. Chairman, we also would stress that the committee's numbers are precisely the same numbers as the Department of Housing and Urban Development, whose secretary is Mr. Cuomo, the gentleman's brother-in-law. The other point I would like…

I would only respond briefly. I think perspective has to be applied. The gentleman is correct that a year ago the budget came in less than the prior year. But this budget is precisely the same as the prior year, precisely the same as the…

In considering this motion to recommit I would hope Members on the other side would recognize that the party of liberalism that is doing well in the world is the party of Tony Blair, not parties of extremism that object to free market, to…

what the amendment of the gentleman from Massachusetts does and one of the reasons I think this is such a close call is suggest that only the poorest of the poor would be targeted.

I would also say that in addition to the 16 States, where two-thirds of the districts would be excluded, even in Massachusetts, which is not as affected as some other States, 44 percent of HUD districts would be excluded, of families of…

All I am saying is the gentleman has a philosophical point that is deeply worthy of respect, and all I am trying to say is unfortunately when we work it through, there are counterproductive ramifications, and I tried to lay out precisely…

first I want to be very precise on several points. The gentleman has referred to a reduction in spending for several programs as part of a 95 supplemental which was not passed out of our committee. This was not a committee that passed that…

I would just stress that this program as currently drafted in the statute applies to the poorest of the poor, and it also applies to the working poor. The amendment of the gentleman from Massachusetts will exclude in many instances the…

in Brownsville, TX, a family making $15,750 will be excluded from this program. However, the fair market rent there is about $510, which is 39 percent of income. After paying for the year's rent, that family will have only $9,631 to pay…

there are two statistics that I think one has to be very careful of. The gentleman has used 25 percent and with the time frame, but it must be placed in the Record that this bill that we have before us is 100 percent of the…

This is a work-for-benefit program. Democrats describe it as mandatory volunteerism; our side describes it as work-for-benefit, and that is where the rub comes with regard to the circumstance.

I would frankly assert that this body believes, or at least this side of the body believes, that work enhances self-esteem and that the community service provision, which is a work component, involves two precepts that are very American at…

But I would also say that it is the view of this side that this fits the heritage of this country, it fits the pioneer spirit of the 19th century, it fits our great American Presidents of this century, and at the risk of great presumption…

Mr. Chairman, first let me address the substance of the amendment. The amendment objects to the notion of work without compensation, and if that was what was at issue here, I think the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Watt] would have a…

let me respond in context, one is the context of restraint, the second is in the context of housing. In the context of restraint, this committee has brought forth the administration's proposal. This side is marching in what might be…

I will say it has been represented that this Milwaukee model has been very successful. As the gentleman knows, the whole Wisconsin turnaround in the whole area of welfare has been as impressive a turnaround as any in the country.

to recapture my time, because it is my time, I would acknowledge to the gentleman that with the gentleman from New York and the gentleman from Massachusetts I had the same vote on the man orbiting laboratory issue. I also object to the B-2…

If I could reclaim the time, I want to thank the gentleman from New York for his very thoughtful representation to this body as well as defense of the U.S. military and the veteran. I would only like to make one comment, because in all of…

the responsibility of this committee to work realistically with the budget constraints that exist. This committee is an authorizing committee, is requesting credibility. It is coming with numbers that we will be defending, numbers that…

First, let me respond to the gentleman. We have worked forthrightly to come up with the maximum approach we believe that could receive the majority's support in this body. Second, I do believe very firmly that there are few areas of…

I would say the effort of the majority side at this time is to enhance and increase the incentive for work and to enhance social obligation. The gentleman's uncle was a great believer in community service, in public service. That is what…

in responding, let me just put this in a little broader background: 2\1/2\ years ago, there was a major effort and consideration by this administration to eliminate HUD. That effort received widespread consideration in this body. Our…