[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 78 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THE JUDICIARY, 
 THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2007

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                               speech of

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R 5576) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, 
     Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, 
     District of Columbia, and independent agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purpose:

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of restored 
funding for Section 8 vouchers. Our Nation is in the midst of an 
affordable housing crisis--and hard working families are bearing the 
brunt of the short fall. Yet again Section 8 is funded below the 
President's request--this year $144 million less than proposed
  The Nadler-Velazquez amendment will restore $70 million for Section 
8, providing vouchers for approximately 10,000 families. This increase 
will ensure that families working to create a better life for their 
children will have a safe, decent place to call home--something that is 
critical to positive outcomes for the future.
  The Section 8 program is a lifeline for millions of families 
struggling to make ends meet and end the cycle of poverty so common in 
low-income communities. In my district--and districts around the 
country--families have been waiting upwards of ten years for vouchers. 
We cannot turn our backs on families striving to achieve more for their 
children against the odds.

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