Byron Dorgan: “I rise to support legislation that Senator Murkowski introduced last November that would bring some fairness to States…”

“I rise to support legislation that Senator Murkowski introduced last November that would bring some fairness to States such as North Dakota and Alaska with low populations. I am proud to cosponsor S. 1851, the Small State HOME Program Equity Act. This legislation would increase the minimum funding level provided to low-population States for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The HOME Investment Partnership Program distributes funds to State and local governments to expand housing for low-income families. It is one of the most important tools that States, local governments, and nonprofits have to respond to affordable housing needs. The program helps both renters and homebuyers across the country by rehabilitating substandard housing and funding new construction. The HOME Investment Partnership Program has been enormously successful in providing housing for those in need, and I have been a strong supporter of annual appropriations for this important program.”