Political Quotes

“the Republican majority claims that H.R. 2 is reform. Tearing down an essential program is not reform. I wonder if my colleagues on the other side of the aisle understand the kind of human misery that their reform will cause. If they are serious about fixing public housing, they must do so without abandoning the very poor. Congress must ensure that these families still have a decent and affordable place to call home. The problem with the Republican majority is that when something goes wrong and does not work, they want to dismantle it. Well, the American public thinks that this institution does not work. Are we going to dismantle it, too? Through reasonable targeting requirements, the Democratic substitute continues assisting the most disadvantaged households, while increasing the availability of public housing to the working poor. H.R. 2 will simply deny millions of women and their children shelter. What is more ironic, the Republicans are fond of claiming that H.R. 2 promotes self-sufficiency. Be honest. How can we expect a family to achieve stability if parents are forced to work without pay? The Kennedy substitute replaces enforced labor with provisions that encourage work, giving families a true chance to achieve the American dream. Mr. Chairman, instead of addressing the real needs of real families, H.R. 2 offers despair and misery. I urge all of my colleagues to support the Kennedy substitute and guard our commitment to safe and affordable housing.”