[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL DISASTER 
            ASSISTANCE AND RESCISSIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1995

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                               speech of

                             HON. BOB BARR

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 15, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1158) making 
     emergency supplemental appropriations for additional disaster 
     assistance and making rescissions for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 1995, and for other purposes:

  Mr. BARR. Mr. Chairman, I rise the engage the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Lewis], who chairs the subcommittee dealing with HUD, 
in a colloquy if he is willing.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. BARR. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I would be very pleased to do 
so.
  Mr. BARR. Mr. Chairman, many communities throughout the State of 
Georgia, including those within my own district, have raised a concern 
regarding the proposed reduction of $349 million in community 
development block grants. I am informed that the cut amounts to as much 
as an 8 percent reduction from what has already been publicly announced 
and communicated to them.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. The gentleman is correct. Many local 
communities have been notified of their fiscal year 1995 allocations 
and have initiated community meetings to plan for the release of CDBG 
money for the wide variety of eligible purposes.
  Mr. BARR. So can we expect the committee to help us make a 
determination of how to assure these communities that they will receive 
what they were previously promised?
  Mr. LEWIS of California. The report accompanying this bill directs 
OMB to cause the affected agencies, including HUD, to stop obligating 
funds proposed for rescission. I am very concerned that HUD in 
particular has attempted to move funds out the door as soon as they 
suspected they were rescission candidates. If we can get OMB to put the 
brakes on, I am sure that we can make a factual determination of how 
much of the proposed cut should be restored in order to keep faith with 
the local planning that has naturally progressed prior to the full 
committee's action late last week. And I am more than willing to do so 
in conference if HUD and OMB step up to the plate on this.
  Mr. BARR. I appreciate knowing that you have the same understanding I 
do regarding the dilemma faced by my communities in Georgia. They will 
be very pleased to know that we are working on a solution.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I commend the gentleman from 
Georgia [Mr. Barr] for his efforts.


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