Emanuel Cleaver: “I rise in support of the revision of H.R. 6644, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act introduced by Chairman Hill…”

“I rise in support of the revision of H.R. 6644, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act introduced by Chairman Hill, Ranking Member Waters, Chairman Flood, and myself. I appreciate very much the leadership of Ranking Member Waters and Chairman Hill in negotiating this very important revision. To quote Chairman Hill: ``This is how Congress is supposed to work.'' I could not agree more. I might add, this is how the vast majority of the American public would like to see us conduct business. Housing remains the single largest expense for the Americans who sent us to Washington. Rising housing costs are consuming an increasing share of household income. Families are struggling to cover necessities and are increasingly unable to save enough to transition into homeownership. The legislation we will be voting on is extraordinary. The underlying concept--updating Federal housing programs--is a matter, really, of common sense. What sets this moment apart is not just the concept of the bill, but the bipartisan, open, and deliberative process.”