The administration has yet to present a comprehensive plan to stabilize the housing market and to reinvigorate private sector participation.

The Government Accountability Office notes in its 2011 follow up report on duplicative economic development programs that HUD, Commerce, SBA, and USDA have made minimal progress collecting data and assessing the effectiveness of their…

I am very pleased to see that the President's budget proposes $500 million for this vital program.

But it seems that the administration is going in contrary directions when it comes to fees and mortgage premiums.

I'm very glad the request for homeless programs reflects a continued commitment to that plan.

Short-term extensions drive up the cost because contractors cannot plan.

But it is equally important to our economic future that we rein in Federal spending and keep our national debt under control.

Transportation investments create jobs and establish the foundation for future economic growth, but it is equally important to our economic future that we rein in Federal spending and keep our national debt under control.

The level funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, proposed at $2.95 billion, is disappointing.

I do want to salute you and the inspector general for your responsiveness to the problems in Maine and across the country.

I'm troubled by this not only because taxpayers shouldn't be paying for poorly maintained units, but because the health and the safety of the people living there is clearly at risk.

I am concerned by the Administration's proposal to fund thousands of Project-Based Rental Assistance contracts for less than 12 months.

Addressing the ongoing challenge of homelessness remains a top priority of mine.

That's absolutely great news. Again, I thank you so much for your willingness to look at that.

One out of every six men and women in homeless shelters are veterans, and unfortunately, veterans are 50 percent more likely to fall into homelessness compared to other Americans.

Another thing I think the Department really needs to look at is, if you have bad actors out there, you do have available to you suspension and debarment tools.

HUD has an obligation to oversee the use of Federal funds at public housing agencies nationwide.

I am pleased the budget continues funding for HUD's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program at $75 million.

I would rather see that money spent on traditional mass transit, and roads, and bridges.

It is appalling to think that lenders were taking advantage of the very people protecting our Nation.

Veterans' homelessness fell by nearly 12 percent in the year 2010, demonstrating that these programs work.

This is a very difficult issue. As you know, it has been operating at an unsustainable deficit since 2008.

I would suggest to the administration that since this proposal did not go anywhere in the past, that it would be really helpful if you came forward with other approaches that might be better received.

I look at what other countries are doing to foster the development of offshore wind, and I can't help but ask whether we should be doing more.

I know that you share my interest in streamlining the development of our offshore wind resources permitting so that we do not lose the global race in the development of this abundant, renewable energy source.