I really do believe, Mr. Torres, that it is a problem, and we have to address it.

It certainly doesn't meet all of the needs. I don't think that any of us believe that it does.

I would never let someone come in and tell me how to zone my city.

As a Member of Congress for nearly 13 years, I have the highest regard for this institution and thank each of you for the work you do on behalf of the American people.

I have never been more happy to be where I am today. The Biden Administration has become so visionary.

I do not know that we can legally do that.

I represent HUD. I do not represent Homeland Security.

When we went into the COVID protocols, the first thing they said to us, Mr. Chairman, is stay home.

I very much resent that you continue to say it.

The Biden/Harris Administration has put forth transformational investments which the public very much support.

I certainly support treatment. Oh, absolutely.

This Budget makes historic investments that will help our Nation build back better and lay the foundation for shared growth and prosperity for decades to come.

I understand when you are not a city that gets your own direct CDBG money.

The support of this Subcommittee is critical to ensuring that every American has a roof over their head and can live in communities that are strong and resilient.

It is one of the major issues and major impediments to home ownership, and it has been going on for far too long.

The biggest problem we have with veteran housing is rural areas because they don't have the capacity within the communities.

One thing that the American Jobs Plan does, Mr. Chairman, is it allocates resources to start to have the discussions with local governments about how their zoning is creating an impediment to affordable and low-income housing.

There is a problem at HUD. I absolutely agree with you 100 percent.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify today in support of President Biden's 2022 Budget for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

This administration views housing as a foundational platform to help address the most urgent challenges facing our Nation.

It just basically says to people in our communities, 'We do not want you to live in our neighborhood if you are low-income, if you are a person of color.'

There is no question about it. I just spent some time in your State, Senator, and when we do not have people housed properly or have them in a position where they have access to housing or to good jobs or schools, yes, it is a major issue.

It increases the cost of housing, and it limits where we can build housing.

I do not believe that it will do that in any significant way, Senator.

we believe that we will have something by the end of this year.