[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 121 (Tuesday, July 25, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H7557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentlewoman from New York [Ms. Velazquez] is recognized 
during morning business for 1 minute.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the 
latest attack on our children, the elderly, and the poor. Today, when 
families are being forced to do more with less, the Republican crafted 
VA-HUD appropriations bill threatens the most basic human need, safe, 
and affordable housing.
  The VA-HUD appropriations bill cuts homeless assistance by 50 
percent, leaving the 600,000 individuals currently homeless with no 
hope. It slashes public housing subsidies by over $2 billion, 
sentencing 3 million public housing tenants to higher crime. This will 
have a devastating effect in New York City.
  Cuts in section 8 rental assistance and homeless programs come at a 
time when we should be working to give everyone a chance at having the 
basic necessity of shelter. Instead, this legislation forces these 
Americans further into despair.
  These moves are on top of severe reductions already made by 
Republicans to programs like AFDC, food stamps, and child assistance 
programs. Cuts like this create a dangerous game of Russian roulette, 
forcing families to choose between caring for their loved ones, putting 
food on the table, or providing a roof over their head.
  Mr. Speaker, that is simply too high a price to ask our families to 
pay, all in the name of balancing the budget and tax breaks for the 
wealthy.

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