Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, as the representative of one of this country's largest public housing populations, I rise today to express my outrage to this bill. Many of the provisions in this legislation threaten poor families, the disabled, and seniors' most basic and human needs--safe affordable housing. Public housing in America began very differently than what it has evolved into. During the 1930's, America made the commitment that adequate housing was right, not just a privilege. To fulfill this pledge, we undertook a program that aimed to provide affordable housing for everyone who needed it. Times have changed and over the years, the Housing Act of 1937 has become antiquated and unresponsive. To address this Secretary Cisneros has undertaken changes that now allow HUD to respond to public housing's unique challenges. Mr. Chairman, repealing the Housing Act of 1937 is not that sort of change! H.R. 2406 represents a significant departure from our national commitment to the poor and needy. Gone are such safety nets as income targeting, and the Brooke amendment.”