[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 81 (Friday, June 23, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1107-E1108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
             INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4635) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry independent 
     agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and offices for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other 
     purposes

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, I am disappointed with yet 
another poison apple that we have been given by the majority to vote 
on--H.R. 4635, the FY 2001 VA-HUD-Independent Agencies Appropriations 
Act.
  Although this bill is $2 billion more than the FY 2000 appropriation 
it is still more than $6 billion below the President's request. In 
addition, this funding bill follows the FY 2001 congressional budget 
resolution, which provides for inadequate resources for discretionary 
investments. I agree with my colleagues and with the administration 
that we need realistic levels of funding for critical programs that 
Americans, and New Mexicans, expect their government to perform and 
provide. Specifically in the areas of education, law enforcement, 
research and technology, adequate health care, the administration of 
Social Security and Medicare, and veteran programs.
  Mr. Chairman, this bill hurts many constituencies throughout my 
district, as well as those in the districts of my colleagues. The 
Appropriations Committee has eliminated the Corporation for National 
and Community Service. In doing so, 62,000 Americans, including 
participants in my district, would be denied the opportunity to meet 
pressing education, public safety, and environmental needs in exchange 
for help with college costs through participation in AmeriCorps. This 
funding bill would also prevent students from participating in

[[Page E1108]]

service-learning programs that provide academic benefits, along with 
the opportunity to learn responsible citizenship.
  Besides eliminating funding for the Corporation for National and 
Community Service, it also cuts key housing programs which currently 
provide crucial services to my constituents in northern New Mexico and 
throughout my district.
  Other than the reduction of funding, this bill also denies the 
request for 120,000 new rental assistance vouchers, a $78 million cut 
in elderly and disabled housing, and a $28 million cut in HOPWA, the 
program which provides housing assistance for people with HIV/AIDS, a 
group in need of housing assistance.
  Mr. Chairman, other housing programs being cut or reduced include the 
Home Program and the HOPE VI funds that replace distressed housing 
projects and operating subsidies for housing authorities.
  What really disappoints me, Mr. Speaker, is that this bill also makes 
substantial cuts below the FY 2000 level in the Community Development 
Block
  I want to now shift this conversation toward our veterans, to the men 
and women who put their lives on the line to protect the liberties and 
security of our nation. This country should not turn its back on these 
courageous men and women and should provide them with the benefits and 
resources they so rightly deserve.
  I am opposed to any reduction in minor construction funding, which 
would adversely affect all VA operations, ranging from patient safety 
and maintenance in VA medical centers to gravesite development in some 
national cemeteries. ln addition, I am also opposed to the provision 
included in the legislation to prohibit the VA from transfering funds 
to the Department of Justice to support litigation against tobacco 
companies. The VA spends more than $1 billion annually treating 
veterans suffering from tobacco-related conditions and is committed to 
helping the Federal Government recover these funds. Therefore, the VA 
should receive their share of any recoveries as a result of the 
litigation and apply that share toward medical services for our 
veterans.
  On the environmental side, the VA-HUD-appropriations bill contains 
funding cuts for environmental protection, contains anti-environmental 
riders and blocks the EPA from investigating environmental justice 
claims. For years, the most vulnerable in our Nation have borne the 
brunt of environmental pollution from hazardous practices. I believe 
that all citizens have a fundamental right to a clean environment and 
this legislation does not provide that right.
  The President has already indicated that if this bill, in its present 
form, arrives at his desk for signature it will receive a veto.
  I'm tired and I know the constituents in my district are tired of the 
majority crafting appropriation bills which fail to properly address 
the needs of our country and its programs.
  I will continue working with my colleagues on the other side of the 
aisle to construct funding bills that are based on a balanced approach 
and maintain fiscal discipline while providing appropriate tax cuts, 
protecting the solvency of Medicare and Social Security, and funding 
for critical programs important to all of us. However, we are not going 
to get there if we keep sending the President inadequate funding bills 
that do not take the balanced approach.
  Mr. Chairman, if the leadership continues to ask Members of Congress 
to support these ``poison apple'' appropriation bills, I will have to 
continue to vote against them. For the reasons l have outlined today 
and for the other deficiencies contained in this legislation, I have to 
oppose passage of this appropriations bill.

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