Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I am very concerned about where we go on section 8 project housing. As we have reviewed this issue in the Committee on the Budget over the last several years, it probably presents one of the toughest issues facing Congress. Left unchecked, section 8 contracts will deplete significantly our HUD funds. I did take to the desk an amendment that would have limited subsidies to section 8 housing contracts that were in excess of 120 percent of the fair market rental rates. The fact is that we need legislation that will end excessive taxpayer subsidies to landlords and bring back into line these excessive subsidies of rents. We have made many contractors and landlords millionaires while shortchanging low income renters and the American taxpayer. Out-of-wack rents that Uncle Sam pays must be brought into line with what everyone else pays. These out-of-wack rents for section 8 assisted housing, often are more than twice as high as fair market rents. In Las Vegas, the average federally assisted apartment is $820, while the private market rate is $380. In Pittsburgh, the comparison is $773 to $397. In Detroit, it's $751 to $479.”