Political Quotes

“This final amendment, which I submit with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green), who led this battle in committee, protects our men and women in uniform who risk their lives to keep us safe in our homes by protecting theirs. It would continue providing emergency mortgage assistance to servicemembers, veterans, and Gold Star families, amending the underlying bill that would otherwise strip away such vital assistance to homeowners in distress through no fault of their own. Whether it is the result of being laid off or a severe medical condition or emergency, Congress has not turned its back on our Nation's veterans when they are in need, and now is no time to start. As my colleagues are well aware, the foreclosure crisis has affected millions of American families. Sadly, our military families have suffered some of the worst brunt of this impact. Last year, 20,000 active-duty Reservists and veterans lost their homes, the largest number in recent history. Did you know the foreclosure rate around our Nation's military installations is four times higher than the national average? From 2007 to 2008, the rate of foreclosure in towns within 10 miles of a military facility swelled by 217 percent compared with 59 percent in the rest of the country. Right here in our own backyard--in my district, in the community of Woodbridge, Virginia--the foreclosure rate spiked an astounding 414 percent around the Quantico Marine Corps Base.”