Eva M. Clayton: “I oppose this rule. This rule is a gag rule. This is a divisive rule. This rule only allows amendments that pit one good…”

“I oppose this rule. This rule is a gag rule. This is a divisive rule. This rule only allows amendments that pit one good program against another good program. The $25 million cut in WIC can only be restored by cutting at least an equal amount in agricultural research funds. The $50 million in Veterans' Administration medical care funding, and the $156 million in VA hospital construction funding can only be restored by cutting wastewater treatment infrastructure financing and other worthy programs. Healthy Start money can only be restored under this rule by cutting money from the National Institutes of Health. This rule is a classic case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. This rule is not unlike pitting sibling against sibling, or child against parent. Worse, Mr. Speaker, the rule allows debate and a vote on a bill that assaults the Nation's poor. For example, the bill proposes a rescission of $7.2 billion from the HUD programs--representing 42 percent of the entire rescission package. By cutting public housing programs, we will adversely affect 630,000 families with children and 530,000 elderly households. The cuts in the section 8 program will leave countless families with children and elderly virtually homeless. The section 515 rental housing program will be nonexistent. In addition, the bill eliminates all--not some--but all funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.”