Barbara Mikulski

Could you tell me why HUD should determine minimum rents and not the local public housing authorities?

I am very concerned about the issues related to the elderly housing and we would welcome your ideas on what we are doing and can do about housing for the elderly as well as in public housing.

We want to know what is left out there and the need.

I think what you are asking for is the opportunity to pull together a task force.

I do not want to give up on the HOPE VI framework.

I am concerned that if we follow up on this fiscal year with the meager budget proposed by the administration...

This budget does not reflect those sentiments.

Last year by HUD's own miscalculations there was a $250 million dollar shortfall in the Public Housing Operating Fund...

I doubt there is anyone on this Subcommittee who would argue that the Section 8 program does not have its flaws...

It is a program that needs to be reformed or if it is not going to stay as HOPE VI, we need to then think about how else we can create hope.

The administration has zeroed out HOPE VI at the end of this year. This means that there is going to be $600 million cut out of community development.

I believe that HUD needs to be in the community development business and not think of itself as just being in the building business.

For fiscal year 2004, the administration's request, which is a $300 million increase over last year, is only 1 percent.

The public has been waiting with bated breath to not only talk to Secretary Martinez, but also to wish you happy birthday.

I think we're all clear that on February 1 our Nation suffered this tragic loss when the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded and seven astronauts lost their lives.

I say to the very cooperative Senator from Alaska, we have not been able to work out our amendment because of a disagreement with OMB. Our colleagues have been most collegial, but we have not been able to work it out. We have been able to…

I believe the Levin amendment is a pretty muscular amendment, saying back to the U.N., you passed those resolutions, you should really step up to those resolutions, and putting the pressure back on them; and also saying, we are not going…

I applaud Secretary Powell. I think his is a vigorous effort to try to resolve the situation through diplomatic means, to send a message to Saddam that he should voluntarily disarm and let the inspectors in. That might not work. But it is…

Going where, sir? Going to the U.N. or going back to Saddam? I am sorry, who is negotiating with whom? Are you talking about the U.N. negotiating with Saddam or Secretary Powell negotiating within the U.N.?

I am concerned over the decision to cut advanced procurement funds for this critical special operations program. This will delay this critical program. As you know this manned mini-submarine is used for the clandestine delivery of Special…

The legislative language permits the members of the LLC to ``contribute funds to the corporation, accept contribution of funds for the corporation, and provide materials, services, and use of facilities for research, technology, and…

I want to bring to the Senator's attention that this amendment is paid for by offsets that had been cleared and verified by the Budget Committee. So it is paid for. I wanted to have that said for the Senator's clarification. I thank my…

Yes. The eligibility is based on the status of the company, meaning is it bankrupt; No. 2, if the individual has worked for the company for 15 years, not less, and if they have taken retirement. Now, they could be 38 years old. The company…

I just wanted to add about the complexity of going to the family because you see these retirees, and the way this would work is that it is a tax credit to the risk pool that takes this on. So we are not quite sure what the individual…

First of all, I am so glad that the Senator from Oklahoma is in the Chamber. We are glad that Members who have concerns or even opposition are here. Let's do the clarification. The Senator asked about the annual cost, $179 million over 10…