Political Quotes

“2 years ago, Congress delivered real welfare reform legislation for the first time in our Nation's history. Today those reforms are moving people from welfare to work in unprecedented numbers, reducing caseloads by 75 percent in some States. In my own county in Ohio, Butler County, we have reduced taxpayer costs for welfare 50 percent in 1 year alone. Today we are set to build on that success by taking the next step in welfare reform by passing legislation that transforms public housing from a way of life into a better life for low-income American families. The amendment offered by the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lazio) truly represents a new era in Federal housing policy. America's Federal housing framework has been essentially unchanged since 1937, when Washington adopted the United States Housing Act, the basis for all Federal housing programs. The structure has remained relatively unchanged and in place for more than two generations. Unfortunately, it is not one of those things that gets better with age. It is time we acted responsibly to bring our Nation's housing laws into the 21st century. The amendment before us would replace our Nation's Depression-era housing laws with a new structure that empowers people, not government. It expands homeownership opportunities and gives residents a say in planning and management decisions that affect their quality of life.”