Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise today to highlight the tragic shortage of suitable housing on tribal lands, and to call for increasing funding for the highly successful Native American Housing and Self Determination Act. Now, in 1996, Congress reorganized native housing programs into NAHASDA, a block grant system administered by tribes in cooperation with HUD. NAHASDA has proven to be an extremely effective tool for tribes to help tribal members increase the quality and quantity of housing. NAHASDA not only works, but fosters tribal self-determination and affirms the trust relationship that exists between Congress and tribal nations. Mr. Chairman, a bipartisan coalition of Members, Representatives Cole, Hanabusa, Heck, Kildee, and Representative Young and I, have introduced a bipartisan reauthorization NAHASDA, which is extremely similar to a draft that Representative Pearce has introduced. Now, both bills, Mr. Chairman, make prudent changes to increase the efficiency of the delivery of the program dollars, and I strongly believe that the changes will have a very positive impact. But, Mr. Chairman, increased efficiency will not replace the need for more money. The top three poorest counties in the United States of America are primarily populated by Native Americans. However, despite overwhelming need, we are not increasing funding for the program, and the current appropriation bill does not include funding for all Native peoples.…”