Joseph Knollenberg: “Mr. Speaker, I rise to provide some perspective on the effect H.R. 1851 will have on discretionary spending and on the…”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to provide some perspective on the effect H.R. 1851 will have on discretionary spending and on the appropriations process. If we're not careful, we will be opening the door to a huge new spending at uncontrollable rates. The section 8 voucher program has proved widely successful and popular. But there is also wide consensus that we must provide reform to the program, which I agree with. We all want the program to be effective, provide assistance to those truly in need and be fiscally responsible for American taxpayers. First, I want to point out, there are positive reforms in H.R. 1851. The bill increases the number of PHAs allowed to participate in the Moving to Work Program. This program, renamed in the bill as the Housing Innovation Program, gives PHAs flexibility to design and test methods that achieve efficiency, reduce costs and promote self-sufficiency. The bill also enhances HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency Act program which works to give low-income families the skills and experience needed to become economically independent. I do, however, have major concerns with the provisions in H.R. 1851 that abandons the budget-based funding methodology.”