Political Quotes

“the VA-HUD bill that we are considering today is unacceptable. At a time of unprecedented economic prosperity, the question is: Why is it that we are cutting the supply of affordable housing instead of increasing the supply of affordable housing? The cuts proposed by the Republicans will be devastating to our Nation's most vulnerable citizens. The majority proposes to cut $1.6 billion below last year's levels. The VA-HUD bill does not include any of President Clinton's requests for new housing and economic development assistance, such as 100,000 new Section 8 vouchers, APIC, which is America's Private Investment Companies, and other initiatives. In the City of Chicago, these cuts would deprive 2,530 people of jobs; 1,915 people of affordable housing; and deny assistance to 397 homeless families and persons with AIDS. It is estimated that the City of Chicago will lose $33,975,000 as a result of the VA-HUD cuts. My constituents are asking, what is going on here in Washington? Well, I will tell what is going on here. The proponents of this huge tax cut are looking for ways to pay for their plan for their wealthiest supporters. Unfortunately, they chose to do this on the backs of the poor, our most vulnerable citizens. I urge my Republican colleagues to fully fund VA-HUD. We must expand, not cut, the programs that meet vital housing and economic development needs of our most vulnerable citizens.”