Joseph Knollenberg

Well, it states it in reverse, and that is my question. I thank you for the layout of the information here. You certainly raise an important issue, and I pledge to explore the issue with you further.

If you withdraw the amendment, I am prepared to work with you any way that I can, but the amendment would have to be withdrawn, so I am just asking for a guarantee that the amendment will be withdrawn.

I now yield the remaining time in my allotment to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).

At the end of the day, this creates an entitlement for vacant units. These funds are for tenant protection, not unit protection. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the…

Let me just say that one thing I don't quite understand about what is taking place here, but I want to get to the bottom of it. Having to provide a subsidy for empty units, and that is what you are doing, with a budget that only assumes…

Every one of these projects relative to the gentleman's comments, must relate to the eligibility of the CDBG program. Every single one. We don't waive the requirements. In fact, to show how worthwhile we think these projects are, for the…

Economic development initiatives, EDI grants, are targeted grants designed to address local economic development needs. As representatives of these communities, it is our responsibility to ensure that these needs when present are…

Well, the whole point is that it isn't just one thing; it is two or three things that are the problem. Already, they are down $12 million. Then there is the possibility that yours would strike some more money. Finally, what do they do…

HOPE VI was intended to demolish 100,000 units of severely distressed public housing units, and the program has accomplished that goal. However, there is currently $80 million in unobligated funds going back as far as 10 years-plus. And…

By the way, let me thank Mr. LaTourette for suggesting the 20-minute situation divided by two. I appreciate that very much. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).

I am happy to respond. I share your concerns. And I thank my colleague for raising this very important issue today. He correctly points out that the bill includes $227 million for HIDTA, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program…

Yes, I most certainly will work with the gentleman from Illinois on this project.

I recognize the difficult situation that some PHAs across the country are facing. Providing flexibility to housing agencies while at the same time ensuring that HUD can effectively manage its programs is a no-cost solution that, if…

I oppose the amendment as well, Mr. Jefferson. The State of Louisiana has already received $6.2 billion in CDBG for reconstruction efforts. And yet, the State of Louisiana has yet to submit a plan for the funds, which is required by law…

I do appreciate and share the concern that my colleagues have about abusive lending practices and the need to eliminate predatory lending by financial institutions. I also recognize that HUD has been working on a regulation for more than 3…

I have no speakers left, but I reserve the right to close, so I want to continue to reserve my time.

I continue to reserve my time, and I do not have at this point an additional speaker because there are a couple of things we are trying to work out right now. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve my time.

I can assure the gentlewoman that I will do everything I can to work with her to make sure that we do address this issue. So I thank the gentlewoman for bringing it up.

As the gentleman knows, we had included funding in last year's bill to study flight attendant fatigue. I understand the study was due to Congress on June 1, 2005, and I will be happy to work with the gentleman from California to determine…

I am aware of the accounting problem that split-funding the Federal Transit Administration program has created. I will work on this issue in conference and trust that there will be a long-term authorization in place by the time the House…

The gentleman raises a very important issue. I acknowledge that series-type hybrid systems have the same goals and encourage the Federal Transit Administration to increase the procurement of buses utilizing both types of systems.

Mr. Speaker, I consider it a distinct honor to be here today to present H.R. 4837, the fiscal year 2005 Military Construction appropriations bill. I am grateful to the conferees in both parties in both Houses for acting together in unison…

The Army estimates the project will cost approximately $17 million. I do not know how long it will take to complete the facility, but the actions taken so far suggest to me that they will move it forward in an expeditious fashion.

I would reply to the gentleman that, yes, I am aware of this language and that it tracks with the gentleman's desire to see the land preserved and conserved for future open, natural space by giving the U.S. Forest Service the right of…