Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore) for her great work on this legislation and her kind words, as well as Ranking Member Waters, and to Mr. Pearce who has pursued this legislation relentlessly, Mr. Young, and others, I think this is a fine moment for us. It is an exercise in bipartisanship which we don't see enough of around here. This is important legislation that has taken too long for Congress to bring to the floor. I think we all agree that it is long overdue. Our responsibilities, our trust relationships to the tribes has to be adhered to. I will say no bill is perfect, and I do support this legislation with some concerns primarily around, as I voiced in committee, the demonstration project that is included in this bill which is, by some, viewed as a step toward privatization of the NAHASDA program. I know most don't feel that way, but some feel it might lead to that. Tribes already have the ability to contract with nonprofit or for- profit private developers in building and rehabilitating tribal housing. This particular program, the demonstration program, is not included in the National American Indian Housing Council's NAHASDA recommendations, and I think it is important that we listen to Indian Country and those in the tribal communities because the very name of this bill has to do with self-determination, and I think it is important that we adhere to the interests of those sovereign tribes that will be administering this program.…”