Sean Patrick Maloney: “while I voted in favor of H.R. 2861, the FY04 VA-HUD-Independent Agencies bill, I am hopeful that more funding for…”

“while I voted in favor of H.R. 2861, the FY04 VA-HUD-Independent Agencies bill, I am hopeful that more funding for veterans programs will be included in the conference report. America's brave servicemen and servicewomen deserve to have adequate health care and other benefits. I support increasing the funding for critical programs including Montgomery GI bill education benefits and compensation for service-connected disabilities. Throughout history, America's military men and women have traveled around the world to fight for the causes of freedom and democracy. In this selfless pursuit, they knew that the battle would not always be easy. We owe them all an enormous debt of gratitude. It's up to us to fight for our veterans. As this legislation moves forward it is my hope that significant improvement can be made in the housing sections. I am pleased that the bill contains none of the Administration's ill-conceived plans to privatize public housing, impose mandatory minimum rents or block grant Section 8. At the same time, I am hopeful that the funding levels for Hope VI, Section 8 and public housing can be increased. The insufficient funding for the public housing capital funds and operating funds will do severe damage to the nation's public housing residents. These citizens deserve better.”