Bruce F. Vento: “Mr. Speaker, I think we have a serious problem with regard to housing policy and the housing quality of native Americans…”

“Mr. Speaker, I think we have a serious problem with regard to housing policy and the housing quality of native Americans across the country. In fact, I think as we look at housing we find it to be some of the poorest quality housing in the Nation. It is an area that is important for us to focus on insofar as we can these remaining days to try and see if we can put in place a policy that will help. I especially appreciate the guidance and support that I have received from various native American groups in Minnesota, from the Red Lake group and Bobby Whitefeather and from the Mille Lacs group and Marge Anderson. We are very concerned in trying to come back with a policy that will give them greater flexibility. This piece, this legislation selects one element in the native American housing and tries to change it. I think we need to be cognizant of the fact that there are other programs in the Department of the Interior that provide for construction, that provide for infrastructure, that are absolutely elemental to deal with the quality of life and Indian housing across this Nation.”