[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HELPING FAMILIES SAVE THEIR HOMES ACT OF 2009

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                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2009

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in reluctant support of S. 
986, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act. Although I supported 
H.R. 1106 earlier in this Congress, and I will vote for this bill, I 
remain concerned about many aspects that attempt to fix the problem 
without addressing the fundamental issues.
  S. 896 makes additional changes to the HOPE for Homeowners program 
despite evidence that it is a seriously flawed model that has failed to 
effect the type of large-scale mortgage modification that our economy 
needs if it is going to recover. Despite the changes made, success of 
the HOPE for Homeowners program continues to be contingent on the 
active participation of the mortgage lender or mortgage servicer. Once 
again, we throw money at Wall Street--at the bankers and lenders--and 
leave individuals and families with nothing.
  The bill also reauthorizes programs under the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
Assistance Act. I am grateful that the plight of the homeless and the 
growing homeless population has finally merited the attention of 
Congress; however I am dismayed by some of the provisions in the final 
bill as well as the process used to arrive at the terms of the relevant 
language. The problem of homelessness in this country deserves more 
attention in the House of Representatives than a mere fraction of 
debate time on a suspension bill. If we had more time and different 
circumstances, we might have had the opportunity to correct some of the 
privacy concerns as well as the provisions that limit eligible uses of 
funds.
  Despite the shortcomings in this bill, it represents a small step in 
the right direction on the whole. I remain hopeful that Congress will 
continue to improve the HOPE for Homeowners programs as well as the 
plight of the growing numbers of homeless citizens. In the end, we must 
adopt a default posture that accommodates communities, families, and 
individuals, rather than a default posture that accommodates bankers 
and financial institutions. Only then will we be able to repair our 
economy and put our country back on a path of prosperity and growth.

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