[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H5149-H5170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2014--Continued
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Poe of Texas). Pursuant to House
Resolution 312 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the further
consideration of the bill, H.R. 2610.
Will the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Woodall) kindly resume the
chair.
{time} 2028
In the Committee of the Whole
Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union for the further consideration of
the bill (H.R. 2610) making appropriations for the Departments of
Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes,
with Mr. Woodall (Acting Chair) in the chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The Acting CHAIR. When the Committee of the Whole rose earlier today,
a request for a recorded vote on an amendment offered by the gentleman
from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett) had been postponed, and the bill had been
read through page 50, line 6.
The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
administrative provisions--federal transit administration
(including rescission)
Sec. 160. The limitations on obligations for the programs
of the Federal Transit Administration shall not apply to any
authority under 49 U.S.C. 5338, previously made available for
obligation, or to any other authority previously made
available for obligation.
Sec. 161. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
funds appropriated or limited by this Act under the Federal
Transit Administration's discretionary program appropriations
headings for projects specified in this Act or identified in
reports accompanying this Act not obligated by September 30,
2015, and other recoveries, shall be directed to projects
eligible to use the funds for the purposes for which they
were originally provided.
Sec. 162. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any
funds appropriated before October 1, 2012, under any section
of chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, that remain
available for expenditure, may be transferred to and
administered under the most recent appropriation heading for
any such section.
Sec. 163. Of the funds made available for the
discretionary bus and bus facilities program under 49 U.S.C.
5309 in fiscal years 1999 through 2007, 2009 and 2010,
$88,047,709 shall be rescinded: Provided, That of the funds
made available to carry out new fixed guideways and
extensions to existing fixed guideways under 49 U.S.C. 5309
in fiscal years 1998 through 2000 and 2005 through 2006,
$38,290,300 shall be rescinded: Provided further, That of the
funds made available for the alternatives analysis program
under 49 U.S.C. 5339 in fiscal year 2012, $25,000,000 shall
be rescinded.
Sec. 164. For purposes of applying the project
justification and local financial commitment criteria of 49
U.S.C. 5309(d) to a New Starts project, the Secretary may
consider the costs and ridership of any connected project in
an instance in which private parties are making significant
financial contributions to the construction of the connected
project; additionally, the Secretary may consider the
significant financial contributions of private parties to the
connected project in calculating the non-Federal share of net
capital project costs for the New Starts project.
Sec. 165. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none
of the funds made available in this Act shall be used to
enter into a full funding grant agreement for a project with
a New Starts share greater than 50 percent.
Sec. 166. None of the funds in this Act may be available
to advance in any way a new fixed guideway capital project
towards a full funding grant agreement as defined by 49
U.S.C. 5309 for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris
County, Texas if the proposed capital project is constructed
on or planned to be constructed on Richmond Avenue west of
South Shepherd Drive or on Post Oak Boulevard north of
Richmond Avenue in Houston, Texas.
{time} 2030
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. POE of Texas. I wish to enter into a colloquy with the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Culberson).
Houston is the fourth most populous city in the country; but unlike
other large cities, we have struggled to have an effective mass transit
system. Ten
[[Page H5150]]
years ago, Houston had only buses. Wider highways were always the
solution for transportation.
Over the past decade, Houston has but one light rail that averages
36,000 weekly boardings. I have never been a strong champion of light
rail; but my congressional district includes a significant portion of
the proposed rail line in section 166, the University rail line, which
would go from downtown Houston toward the Hillcroft Transit Center.
A majority of my constituents in the affected area that would be
served support the light rail. I am concerned about section 166 of the
bill that would prohibit Federal funds from going toward a part of the
University line that falls in the neighboring 7th Congressional
District, Mr. Culberson's district. This language, although affecting
his district primarily, indirectly affects my constituents because it
has the effect of killing the whole project. Federal funds are needed
to build the University line in Houston.
To be clear, section 166 really doesn't save any Federal money. It
just sends those funds somewhere else--maybe to New York City. If we're
going to spend the money, let's keep the money in Texas and put Texans
to work.
I've recently surveyed the constituents who live in the affected area
in my congressional district. My office went door-to-door meeting with
local businesses over the last few days, speaking with organizations
and talking to constituents. Those in the affected area want light
rail. On Facebook alone in the last 2 days, 604 people supported light
rail and 340 opposed it.
One Houstonian commented:
Houston needs a viable east-west transit corridor to
connect to the Main Street line. As a 23-year-old young
Houstonian, I strongly support the Richmond rail and project
for Houston's future.
At least 26 community and civic organizations support the University
line.
At this time I will yield to the gentleman sponsoring section 166 in
the bill, Mr. Culberson, for a colloquy.
Mr. CULBERSON. Thank you, Judge Poe.
Of course, I will continue to work with you and the committee, as I
always have. I'll continue to support the will of the voters, as I have
always supported Federal funding for those rail lines. It's been
approved by the voters. And I look forward to continuing to work with
you and my colleagues with the eastern area, as I have with Congressmen
Gene Green and Sheila Jackson Lee, to support those lines in their
districts that were on the ballot and were approved by voters.
Mr. POE of Texas. I understand the gentleman's position and the
concerns from my colleague and his constituents who really don't want
the rail in your congressional district. I respect that representation.
The gentleman understands that we have a disagreement as to what
constituents want in the affected area. Your constituents don't want
the rail. That small section in mine do want the rail. I hope we can
work together with Metro productively to get something built that is in
the interest of all concerned.
I yield back to the gentleman.
Mr. CULBERSON. Thank you. I look forward to working with the
gentleman.
Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentleman for his offer to work
together. I certainly respect his position. It's my hope we can move
forward and work productively and not block Federal funds that are
coming to the Houston area that would go somewhere else. Let's work
together with Metro, the City of Houston, the mayor's office, and the
residents along the entire proposed line and see if we can find a
solution that we all agree on, and hopefully we can keep this money in
Texas.
I yield back the balance of my time.
support for university rail line
Greater Houston Partnership; Houston Citizen's
Transportation Coalition; Houston Tomorrow; Richmond
Rail.org; Montrose Management District; Claude Wynn
Interests; Museum District Business Alliance; Neartown/
Montrose Super Neighborhood; East Montrose Civic Association;
Cherryhurst Civic Association; Board of Directors of the
University Place Association; University Place Super
Neighborhood Council; and Boulevard Oaks Civic Association.
Morningside Place Civic Association; Old Braeswood Property
Owners Associations; Southgate Civic Club; Southampton Civic
Club; Museum Area Municipal Association; Rice Village
Alliance; Brays Bayou Association; Greater Houston
Preservation Alliance; Uptown Management District; Menil
Foundation; Museum of Fine Arts Houston; Friends of Mandell
Park; and Former City Councilman Peter Brown, Director of
BetterHouston.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation is hereby
authorized to make such expenditures, within the limits of
funds and borrowing authority available to the Corporation,
and in accord with law, and to make such contracts and
commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as
provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation Control
Act, as amended, as may be necessary in carrying out the
programs set forth in the Corporation's budget for the
current fiscal year.
operations and maintenance
(harbor maintenance trust fund)
For necessary expenses to conduct the operations,
maintenance, and capital asset renewal activities of those
portions of the St. Lawrence Seaway owned, operated, and
maintained by the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development
Corporation, $30,582,000, to be derived from the Harbor
Maintenance Trust Fund, pursuant to Public Law 99-662.
Maritime Administration
maritime security program
For necessary expenses to maintain and preserve a U.S.-flag
merchant fleet to serve the national security needs of the
United States, $174,000,000, to remain available until
expended.
operations and training
For necessary expenses of operations and training
activities authorized by law, $143,768,000, of which
$11,500,000 shall remain available until expended for
maintenance and repair of training ships at State Maritime
Academies, and of which $2,400,000 shall remain available
through September 30, 2015 for Student Incentive Program
payments at State Maritime Academies, and of which
$10,000,000 shall remain available until expended for
facilities maintenance and repair, equipment, and capital
improvements at the United States Merchant Marine Academy:
Provided, That amounts apportioned for the United States
Merchant Marine Academy shall be available only upon
allotments made personally by the Secretary of Transportation
or the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs: Provided
further, That the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent and
the Director of the Office of Resource Management of the
United State Merchant Marine Academy may not be allotment
holders for the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and
the Administrator of the Maritime Administration shall hold
all allotments made by the Secretary of Transportation or the
Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs under the
previous proviso: Provided further, That 50 percent of the
funding made available for the United States Merchant Marine
Academy under this heading shall be available only after the
Secretary, in consultation with the Superintendent and the
Maritime Administrator, completes a plan detailing by program
or activity how such funding will be expended at the Academy,
and this plan is submitted to the House and Senate Committees
on Appropriations.
ship disposal
For necessary expenses related to the disposal of obsolete
vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet of the Maritime
Administration, $4,000,000, to remain available until
expended.
maritime guaranteed loan (title xi) program account
(including transfer of funds)
For necessary administrative expenses of the maritime
guaranteed loan program, $2,655,000 shall be paid to the
appropriation for ``Operations and Training'', Maritime
Administration.
administrative provisions--maritime administration
Sec. 170. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
the Maritime Administration is authorized to furnish
utilities and services and make necessary repairs in
connection with any lease, contract, or occupancy involving
Government property under control of the Maritime
Administration: Provided, That payments received therefor
shall be credited to the appropriation charged with the cost
thereof and shall be available until expended: Provided
further, That rental payments under any such lease, contract,
or occupancy for items other than such utilities, services,
or repairs shall be covered into the Treasury as
miscellaneous receipts.
Sec. 171. None of the funds available or appropriated in
this Act shall be used by the United States Department of
Transportation or the United States Maritime Administration
to negotiate or otherwise execute, enter into, facilitate or
perform fee-for-service contracts for vessel disposal,
scrapping or recycling, unless there is no qualified domestic
ship recycler that will pay any sum of money to purchase and
scrap or recycle a vessel owned, operated or managed by the
Maritime Administration or that is part of the National
Defense Reserve Fleet. Such sales offers must be consistent
with the solicitation and provide that the work will be
performed in a timely manner at a facility qualified within
the meaning of section 3502 of Public
[[Page H5151]]
Law 106-398. Nothing contained herein shall affect the
Maritime Administration's authority to award contracts at
least cost to the Federal Government and consistent with the
requirements of 16 U.S.C. 5405(c), section 3502, or otherwise
authorized under the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
operational expenses
(pipeline safety fund)
(including transfer of funds)
For necessary operational expenses of the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, $21,167,000, of
which $639,000 shall be derived from the Pipeline Safety
Fund: Provided, That $1,000,000 shall be transferred to
``Pipeline Safety'' in order to fund ``Pipeline Safety
Information Grants to Communities'' as authorized under
section 60130 of title 49, United States Code.
hazardous materials safety
For expenses necessary to discharge the hazardous materials
safety functions of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration, $42,762,000, of which $1,725,000 shall
remain available until September 30, 2016: Provided, That up
to $800,000 in fees collected under 49 U.S.C. 5108(g) shall
be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury as
offsetting receipts: Provided further, That there may be
credited to this appropriation, to be available until
expended, funds received from States, counties,
municipalities, other public authorities, and private sources
for expenses incurred for training, for reports publication
and dissemination, and for travel expenses incurred in
performance of hazardous materials exemptions and approvals
functions.
pipeline safety
(pipeline safety fund)
(oil spill liability trust fund)
(pipeline safety design review fund)
For expenses necessary to conduct the functions of the
pipeline safety program, for grants-in-aid to carry out a
pipeline safety program, as authorized by 49 U.S.C. 60107,
and to discharge the pipeline program responsibilities of the
Oil Pollution Act of 1990, $111,252,000, of which $18,573,000
shall be derived from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and
shall remain available until September 30, 2016; and of which
$90,679,000 shall be derived from the Pipeline Safety Fund,
of which $52,000,000 shall remain available until September
30, 2016; and of which $2,000,000, to remain available until
expended, shall be derived from the Pipeline Safety Design
Review Fund, as authorized in 49 U.S.C. 60117(n): Provided,
That not less than $1,058,000 of the funds provided under
this heading shall be for the One-Call state grant program.
emergency preparedness grants
(emergency preparedness fund)
For necessary expenses to carry out 49 U.S.C. 5128(b),
$188,000, to be derived from the Emergency Preparedness Fund,
to remain available until September 30, 2015: Provided, That
not more than $28,318,000 shall be made available for
obligation in fiscal year 2014 from amounts made available by
49 U.S.C. 5116(i) and 5128(b)-(c): Provided further, That
none of the funds made available by 49 U.S.C. 5116(i),
5128(b), or 5128(c) shall be made available for obligation by
individuals other than the Secretary of Transportation, or
his designee.
Office of Inspector General
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Inspector
General to carry out the provisions of the Inspector General
Act of 1978, as amended, $79,624,000: Provided, That the
Inspector General shall have all necessary authority, in
carrying out the duties specified in the Inspector General
Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 3), to investigate allegations
of fraud, including false statements to the government (18
U.S.C. 1001), by any person or entity that is subject to
regulation by the Department: Provided further, That the
funds made available under this heading may be used to
investigate, pursuant to section 41712 of title 49, United
States Code: (1) unfair or deceptive practices and unfair
methods of competition by domestic and foreign air carriers
and ticket agents; and (2) the compliance of domestic and
foreign air carriers with respect to item (1) of this
proviso: Provided further, That: (1) the Inspector General
shall have the authority to audit and investigate the
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA); (2) in
carrying out these audits and investigations the Inspector
General shall have all the authorities described under
section 6 of the Inspector General Act (5 U.S.C. App.); (3)
MWAA Board Members, employees, contractors, and
subcontractors shall cooperate and comply with requests from
the Inspector General, including providing testimony and
other information; (4) The Inspector General shall be
permitted to observe closed executive sessions of the MWAA
Board of Directors; (5) MWAA shall pay the expenses of the
Inspector General, including staff salaries and benefits and
associated operating costs, which shall be credited to this
appropriation and remain available until expended; and (6) if
MWAA fails to make funds available to the Inspector General
within 30 days after a request for such funds is received,
then the Inspector General shall notify the Secretary of
Transportation who shall not approve a grant for MWAA under
section 47107(b) of title 49, United States Code, until such
funding is made available for the Inspector General.
Surface Transportation Board
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Surface Transportation Board,
including services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, $29,310,000:
Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of law,
not to exceed $1,250,000 from fees established by the
Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board shall be
credited to this appropriation as offsetting collections and
used for necessary and authorized expenses under this
heading: Provided further, That the sum herein appropriated
from the general fund shall be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar
basis as such offsetting collections are received during
fiscal year 2014, to result in a final appropriation from the
general fund estimated at no more than $28,060,000.
General Provisions--Department of Transportation
Sec. 180. During the current fiscal year, applicable
appropriations to the Department of Transportation shall be
available for maintenance and operation of aircraft; hire of
passenger motor vehicles and aircraft; purchase of liability
insurance for motor vehicles operating in foreign countries
on official department business; and uniforms or allowances
therefor, as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901-5902).
Sec. 181. Appropriations contained in this Act for the
Department of Transportation shall be available for services
as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for individuals
not to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the rate for an
Executive Level IV.
Sec. 182. None of the funds in this Act shall be available
for salaries and expenses of more than 110 political and
Presidential appointees in the Department of Transportation:
Provided, That none of the personnel covered by this
provision may be assigned on temporary detail outside the
Department of Transportation.
Sec. 183. (a) No recipient of funds made available in this
Act shall disseminate personal information (as defined in 18
U.S.C. 2725(3)) obtained by a State department of motor
vehicles in connection with a motor vehicle record as defined
in 18 U.S.C. 2725(1), except as provided in 18 U.S.C. 2721
for a use permitted under 18 U.S.C. 2721.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary shall not
withhold funds provided in this Act for any grantee if a
State is in noncompliance with this provision.
Sec. 184. Funds received by the Federal Highway
Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and Federal
Railroad Administration from States, counties,
municipalities, other public authorities, and private sources
for expenses incurred for training may be credited
respectively to the Federal Highway Administration's
``Federal-Aid Highways'' account, the Federal Transit
Administration's ``Research and University Research Centers''
account, and to the Federal Railroad Administration's
``Safety and Operations'' account, except for State rail
safety inspectors participating in training pursuant to 49
U.S.C. 20105.
Sec. 185. None of the funds in this Act to the Department
of Transportation may be used to make a grant unless the
Secretary of Transportation notifies the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations not less than 3 full business
days before any project competitively selected to receive a
discretionary grant award, any discretionary grant award,
letter of intent, or full funding grant agreement totaling
$500,000 or more is announced by the department or its modal
administrations from:
(1) any discretionary grant program of the Federal Highway
Administration including the emergency relief program;
(2) the airport improvement program of the Federal Aviation
Administration;
(3) any program of the Federal Railroad Administration; or
(4) any program of the Federal Transit Administration other
than the formula grants and fixed guideway modernization
programs:
Provided, That the Secretary gives concurrent notification
to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations for any
``quick release'' of funds from the emergency relief program:
Provided further, That no notification shall involve funds
that are not available for obligation.
Sec. 186. Rebates, refunds, incentive payments, minor fees
and other funds received by the Department of Transportation
from travel management centers, charge card programs, the
subleasing of building space, and miscellaneous sources are
to be credited to appropriations of the Department of
Transportation and allocated to elements of the Department of
Transportation using fair and equitable criteria and such
funds shall be available until expended.
Sec. 187. Amounts made available in this or any other Act
that the Secretary determines represent improper payments by
the Department of Transportation to a third-party contractor
under a financial assistance award, which are recovered
pursuant to law, shall be available--
(1) to reimburse the actual expenses incurred by the
Department of Transportation in recovering improper payments;
and
(2) to pay contractors for services provided in recovering
improper payments or contractor support in the implementation
of the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002: Provided,
That amounts in excess of that required for paragraphs (1)
and (2)--
(A) shall be credited to and merged with the appropriation
from which the improper
[[Page H5152]]
payments were made, and shall be available for the purposes
and period for which such appropriations are available; or
(B) if no such appropriation remains available, shall be
deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts: Provided
further, That prior to the transfer of any such recovery to
an appropriations account, the Secretary shall notify the
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations of the amount
and reasons for such transfer: Provided further, That for
purposes of this section, the term ``improper payments'', has
the same meaning as that provided in section 2(d)(2) of
Public Law 107-300.
Sec. 188. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if
any funds provided in or limited by this Act are subject to a
reprogramming action that requires notice to be provided to
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, said
reprogramming action shall be approved or denied solely by
the Committees on Appropriations: Provided, That the
Secretary may provide notice to other congressional
committees of the action of the Committees on Appropriations
on such reprogramming but not sooner than 30 days following
the date on which the reprogramming action has been approved
or denied by the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations.
Sec. 189. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available under this Act may be used by the Surface
Transportation Board of the Department of Transportation to
charge or collect any filing fee for rate complaints filed
with the Board in an amount in excess of the amount
authorized for district court civil suit filing fees under
section 1914 of title 28, United States Code.
Sec. 190. Funds appropriated in this Act to the modal
administrations may be obligated for the Office of the
Secretary for the costs related to assessments or
reimbursable agreements only when such amounts are for the
costs of goods and services that are purchased to provide a
direct benefit to the applicable modal administration or
administrations.
Sec. 191. The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to
carry out a program that establishes uniform standards for
developing and supporting agency transit pass and transit
benefits authorized under section 7905 of title 5, United
States Code, including distribution of transit benefits by
various paper and electronic media.
Sec. 192. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used for the California High-Speed Rail Program of the
California High-Speed Rail Authority.
Sec. 193. (a) Unobligated balances of funds made available
for section 1307(d) of Public Law 109-59 are hereby
permanently rescinded.
(b) For an additional amount to be made available on
September 30, 2014 from savings made available from
subsection (a), the Secretary of Transportation shall make
grants for grade crossing safety as described in section
148(a)(4)(B)(vi) of title 23, United States Code, and
corridor planning improvements as described in section
26101(b) of title 49, United States Code.
Sec. 194. None of the funds made available by this Act
shall be used by the Surface Transportation Board to take any
actions with respect to construction of a high-speed rail
project in California unless the Board has jurisdiction over
the entire project and the permit is or was issued by the
Board with respect to the project in its entirety.
This title may be cited as the ``Department of
Transportation Appropriations Act, 2014''.
TITLE II
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Management and Administration
executive offices
For necessary salaries and expenses for Executive Offices,
which shall be comprised of the offices of the Secretary,
Deputy Secretary, Hearings and Appeals, Congressional and
Intergovernmental Relations, Public Affairs, and Center for
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, $12,000,000, of which
$500,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2015:
Provided, That not to exceed $25,000 of the amount made
available under this heading shall be available to the
Secretary for official reception and representation expenses
as the Secretary may determine.
Amendment Offered by Ms. Castor of Florida
Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 68, line 11, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $3,000,000)''.
Page 68, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $3,000,000)''.
Page 69, line 4, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $3,000,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Chairman, my amendment moves $3 million
from the executive offices of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, including the Deputy Secretary's office, to the Office of
Field Policy and Management, for a very good reason. The leadership at
the Department of Housing and Urban Development has failed my neighbors
in Florida under its unsubstantiated plan to remove the on-the-ground,
community-based personnel from our local communities and transfer these
positions to a single bureaucratic behemoth.
On September 30 of this year, HUD executives plan to move our local
community-based HUD professionals to other offices hundreds of miles
away. Yet the housing and homeless challenges in my community will
remain. Mr. Chairman, Congress was not consulted on HUD's plan. After
HUD's plan was leaked, a number of Members of Congress inquired.
So what is HUD's plan? The Deputy Secretary said HUD plans to remove
its representatives from the Tampa Bay and Orlando areas, a region of
over 6 million Americans, larger than 30 States, and from other
communities across the country. I asked HUD's Deputy Secretary, Is this
a cost-saving measure? He said, No. I asked HUD's Deputy Secretary,
Have you done a workforce analysis so that the HUD workforce is devoted
to the areas that need help and the appropriate places at the
appropriate numbers? No.
HUD executives have failed to provide any reasonable justification to
Congress regarding the closing of 16 field offices, including two in
Florida.
Mr. Chairman, I suggest it is not appropriate to concentrate HUD
personnel in offices hundreds of miles away from where they're needed.
HUD is just asking for higher travel costs and an agency that will be
more disconnected from communities.
Today, my amendment cuts the executive office budget of HUD by 25
percent and moves those dollars away from Washington and back to the
Office of Field Policy and Management to restore some of the HUD field
offices that are being shuttered in 2 months. In moving the dollars out
of Washington, my intent is to directly help our homeless veterans and
those on the ground working for multifamily housing, Choice
Neighborhoods grants, neighborhood stabilization, Hardest Hit, housing
counseling, and more.
My State and local communities cannot be served effectively under
HUD's plan to stovepipe its personnel hundreds of miles away. Florida
has a population of 19 million, and 1.5 million veterans live in
Florida, of which about 8,000 are homeless. We have 57,000 people in
Florida that are battling homelessness and our foreclosure rate is
still too high. Over the last year, Florida has had the most homes--
over 103,000--foreclosed upon. California is a distant second. Nearly 9
percent of all Florida homes with mortgages were in some stage of
foreclosure.
Communities throughout Tampa Bay have been hit hard by the housing
crisis, and the reliable and informed HUD professionals in the Tampa
Bay field office have been on the ground helping our neighbors daily.
Earlier this year, more than 5,000 notices of mortgage default,
foreclosure auction, or repossession were sent across Tampa Bay.
Florida continues to have a very high foreclosure rate--and Tampa is no
exception.
HUD professionals in my community have been there to help. They have
helped us weather the economic crisis. The Tampa Bay HUD office has
been critical for many of my neighbors and for community-based
nonprofits working to solve the housing and homeless problems.
Mr. Chairman, my amendment simply says that bureaucrats in Washington
will have a little bit less to ensure that our communities, including
my home of Tampa, Orlando, and other communities across the country,
have the professionals in the field that we need to help our neighbors,
our veterans, and others with housing challenges.
I would like to thank my colleagues, Ms. Brown of Florida, Mr.
Grayson, Ms. Matsui, Mr. McNerney, and Mr. Costa for joining me in
cosponsoring this amendment.
I urge a ``yes'' vote on the Castor amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
{time} 2045
Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from California is recognized for 5
minutes.
[[Page H5153]]
Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment by my
colleague from Florida (Ms. Castor), and I want to thank Ms. Castor for
working on this amendment.
The housing crisis has hit countless districts across the country--
Florida, California, and other States--but especially including my own
district.
I represent some of the hardest hit areas in the United States of
America, including the San Joaquin Valley. Although the housing sector
has improved in recent months, there is still much work to be done. We
must ensure hardworking individuals and families have the best
information possible when making important life decisions, and HUD
field offices and officers play a critical role in this process.
Whether it's through foreclosure assistance or for first-time
homebuyers, HUD help is needed. Unfortunately, HUD wants to close
various offices throughout the country. We must focus on providing HUD
with the appropriate resources to adequately assist areas like the San
Joaquin Valley that have been disproportionately affected by the
housing crisis. Reducing access to services is not the answer.
Mr. Chairman, we've held countless foreclosure summits and workshops
in our district. I've seen individuals in front of me that are losing
their homes--young men, young women--tears in their eyes. They're
getting excellent information from the HUD service officers, and to
take that resource away from these individuals is a travesty. This
commonsense amendment by my colleague from Florida aims to address this
issue by removing 25 percent from HUD's executive account and moving it
toward the field offices and policy management account. I know that the
people in my district need and deserve these services. Ensuring HUD has
the funding to keep offices open is a step in the right direction.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I want to thank
the gentlelady for bringing this issue to our attention. I know it not
only affects her district, but others across the country.
I have to tell you that other Members have come to me, and their
great concern is that in many cases the stakeholders at the local
offices where there will be closure have not been consulted or have not
had adequate input into the negative effects that the closures will
have. So for this reason, Mr. Chairman, I support my colleague's
amendment and I support the gentlelady, and I ask for an ``aye'' vote.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor).
The amendment was agreed to.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
administrative support offices
For necessary salaries and expenses for administration,
management and operations of offices of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, $479,000,000, of which
$5,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2015:
Provided, That $1,000,000 shall be available for claims and
indemnities and shall remain available until expended; not to
exceed $44,000,000 shall be available for the Office of the
Chief Financial Officer; not to exceed $90,000,000 shall be
available for the Office of the General Counsel; not to
exceed $186,000,000 shall be available for the Office of
Administration; not to exceed $49,000,000 shall be available
for the Office of the Chief Human Capital Office; not to
exceed $50,000,000 shall be available for the Office of Field
Policy and Management; not to exceed $17,000,000 shall be
available for the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer;
not to exceed $3,000,000 shall be available for the Office of
Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity; not to exceed
$5,000,000 shall be available for the Office of Strategic
Planning and Management; and not to exceed $34,000,000 shall
be available for the Office of the Chief Information Officer:
Provided further, That funds provided under this heading may
be used for necessary administrative and non-administrative
expenses of the Department of Housing and Urban Development,
not otherwise provided for, including purchase of uniforms,
or allowances therefore, as authorized by U.S.C. 5901-5902;
hire of passenger motor vehicles; services as authorized by 5
U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other
provision of law, funds appropriated under this heading may
be used for advertising and promotional activities that
support the housing mission area: Provided further, That the
Secretary shall provide the Committees on Appropriations
quarterly written notification regarding the status of
pending congressional reports: Provided further, That the
Secretary shall provide all signed reports required by
Congress electronically.
Amendment Offered by Mrs. Capito
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 68, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $75,000,000)''.
Page 69, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $40,000,000)''.
Page 69, line 3, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $25,000,000)''.
Page 69, line 4, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $10,000,000)''.
Page 70, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $50,000,000)''.
Page 70, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $25,000,000)''.
Page 70, line 17, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $100,000,000)''.
Page 89, line 5, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $350,000,000)''.
Page 89, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $350,000,000)''.
Page 91, line 11, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $100,000,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from West Virginia is recognized
for 5 minutes.
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to offer this amendment with
my colleagues, Mr. Kelly from Pennsylvania, Mr. McKinley of West
Virginia, and Mr. Barletta of Pennsylvania. Our amendment puts $350
million back into the Community Development Block Grant program. The
CDBG's budget has been reduced by $1.3 billion from last year, and
these reductions we believe will deeply affect our local communities.
With our national debt approaching $17 trillion, it is critical that
Congress tighten its belt and direct limited resources to the most
important priorities. I believe that funding for CDBG is a high
priority.
This amendment has been scored by the Congressional Budget Office,
and it will not increase the budget authority proposed in this bill. In
fact, it will actually reduce the outlays for fiscal year 2014 by $129
million.
The Community Development Block Grant program plays a critical role
for the many communities who are trying to find funds to improve lower-
income and under-utilized areas. It helps tremendously in the rural
areas.
In my home State of West Virginia, unfortunately, there are still
some West Virginians who have to drive to fill up a water tank because
they don't have access to safe drinking water. The CDBG program has
been critical in funding these safe drinking water and sewer projects
to many areas in West Virginia. Through the small cities CDBG fund,
West Virginia has invested $80 million over the last 5 years to improve
access to clean water and to develop water and wastewater systems.
These projects include a safe drinking water project in Buffalo, West
Virginia, which provided clean drinking water to over 100 residents.
In my home town of Charleston, West Virginia, this program has
provided much-needed help for our senior citizens, for road repairs,
and our homeless shelters. The program has produced results, and our
local governments need this funding to be reinstated so they can
continue helping the communities because they need our support.
It was very difficult to find an offset for this. The HOME program
has helped a lot of low-income individuals find affordable housing over
the past 20 years. However, there have been grave concerns regarding
oversight of the program, and HUD has been slow to adapt to many of the
recommendations proposed by various auditors, including a GAO audit
performed last February. I'm hopeful that HUD will view these cuts in
their budget as proof that Congress is serious about oversight and will
increase the oversight of the HOME program.
The CDBG program is a vital one, essential to States like mine and
those of my colleagues who introduced this amendment. So I ask all my
colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Iowa is recognized for 5
minutes.
[[Page H5154]]
Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment of the
gentlewoman from West Virginia. Obviously, we've got a very difficult
allocation, and we understand the importance of the program. So with
that, I would ask for an ``aye'' vote on this amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Mr. Chairman, I join Chairman Latham and the
gentlelady from West Virginia. CDBG is a great program.
When I was a county supervisor, we used the moneys to do
infrastructure development and helped the communities and allowed other
local officials to decide how those moneys were going to be used. But I
have concerns about this amendment. It cuts HUD's salaries and expenses
by $250 million. This level will likely mean staff layoffs, especially
in the office that administers the CDBG program. It also cuts the HOME
program by $100 million, even while it is at a record low level in this
bill.
The amendment makes these draconian cuts to other programs, and the
CDBG levels would still be well below the 1975 level. Robbing Peter to
pay Paul is a direct result of the Ryan budget and the inadequate
302(b) allocation.
For that reason, I would oppose the amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment Offered by Ms. Velazquez
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 68, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $10,000,000)''.
Page 69, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $7,000,000)''.
Page 69, line 3, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $3,000,000)''.
Page 101, line 14, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $10,000,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from New York is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, families that receive housing counseling
and home inspections make better decisions when it comes to purchasing
or refinancing a home. They understand the financial burdens they can
reasonably assume and what future costs they may incur due to
homeownership, reducing their individual risk of foreclosure in the
future. Fewer individual foreclosures also benefit surrounding
communities; home prices remain stable, blight is reduced, and more
families remain in place. That is why I have been relentless in urging
HUD to improve the educational resources available to borrowers when
purchasing or refinancing a home.
Currently, HUD is working to improve its certified housing counselor
training for potential and existing homebuyers, as well as develop home
inspection educational materials for consumers when purchasing a home.
Unfortunately, the issuance of these resources has been delayed. To
date, only a few of the housing counseling documents have been released
for public comment, including the application for the Housing
Counseling Federal Advisory Committee and certification for HUD housing
counseling.
The legislation before us today, H.R. 2610, the Transportation,
Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act,
would reduce funding to finalize these resources at the time they are
most needed.
Many low-to-moderate-income homeowners are still struggling to afford
their homes. My amendment would provide the additional $10 million
necessary to restore housing counseling assistance funding to its FY
2013 level. Funding from HUD's administrative supportive offices
account would be used to offset the amendment.
It would not impact any of the transportation or housing programs
funding amounts. The net impact is zero on the budget authority, and it
would reduce 2014 outlays by $4 million--actually saving the government
money over time.
This increased funding would help HUD complete its statutory
obligations and start providing housing counseling information to FHA-
insured borrowers and other interested families. These resources are
essential for educating families about the financial burdens of owning
a home, the importance of conducting a home inspection prior to
purchase, and informing underwater homeowners of their options to avoid
foreclosure. We cannot allow these families to wait any longer for
these critical homeownership information resources.
I urge the House to protect families' interests when purchasing a
home by voting ``yes'' on this amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Iowa is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
Our bill had already taken steps to reduce HUD's salary and expenses
budget in the interest of fiscal responsibility. In addition to these
reductions, we just passed an amendment that reduced that account. We
also have several more amendments at the desk that further eat at the
administrative expenses to offset increases in higher priority
programs--again, like the Community Development Block Grants. At some
point, however, we cannot continue to take cut after cut into these
accounts without jeopardizing HUD's ability to responsibly carry out
its mission.
Again, Mr. Chairman, I would ask for a ``no'' vote and oppose this
amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Mr. Chairman, as described by my colleague,
Ms. Velazquez, counseling is very important to current homeowners,
prospective homeowners; and with it, we ensure that someone who is
going into an FHA-backed home is able to have all the information in
order to be a good homeowner. Obviously home inspection is very
important. To those people who are still underwater, they still need
the counseling and the information from HUD.
So for those reasons, Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the
gentlelady's amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 2100
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from New York
will be postponed.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Barber
Mr. BARBER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 68, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $1,500,000)''.
Page 69, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $1,500,000)''.
Page 71, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000)''.
Page 80, line 4, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Arizona is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. BARBER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to request approval of an
amendment that will support citizens of our great Nation who
desperately need and deserve our assistance.
I am talking about our Nation's homeless veterans. At a time when our
country needed them, they answered the call, personally sacrificing for
the greater good--for our greater good.
My amendment will increase funding for housing vouchers by $1
million, and it is offset by a reduction in the Administrative Support
Office's budget.
We owe these men and women more than just a debt of gratitude. We owe
them our unflagging support commensurate with their level of service,
equal
[[Page H5155]]
to their sacrifice for you and for me and for all Americans who enjoy
the freedoms that these veterans have protected.
Unfortunately, too many veterans still lack the necessary resources
to keep a permanent roof over their heads. This, I hope we all agree,
is completely unacceptable.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that approximately
62,000 veterans remain homeless. That is 62,000 members of our Armed
Forces who made an unwavering commitment to stand in the breach for
this Nation, for freedom, for democracy, and the values that are the
foundation of the United States of America.
According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness,
nearly one-third of chronically homeless people are veterans. The men
and women who put on the uniform of our Armed Forces took a solemn oath
to do what we asked them to do, and they should not go without in their
time of need.
When our soldiers came home from Vietnam they were subject to
despicable insults and, even worse, did not receive the supports we
promised them. Thousands of them make up the homeless population in our
country today. This was a national disgrace, and we must do better for
them and for the new veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who are coming
home every day. We must not allow them to become yet another homeless
veteran.
While the Department of Veterans Affairs has a commendable goal to
end veteran homelessness by 2015, it is shameful to even let one single
veteran become homeless.
In my home district in Tucson, the city is working to ensure that
veteran homelessness is eradicated permanently. I applaud and support
those efforts, but more can and must be done across my district and the
Nation.
If my amendment is adopted, it would increase by $1 million the
amount available to veterans for housing vouchers. It is offset by a
reduction of $1.5 million from the HUD Administrative Support Offices.
While this amendment will not solve the issue of veteran
homelessness, it is a small and important first step that we can take
to show our commitment to our veterans.
We cannot continue to fail these men and women who have so bravely
served this Nation. It is not a Democratic or a Republican issue; it is
an American issue. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to
vote ``yes'' on this amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR (Ms. Foxx). The gentleman from Iowa is recognized
for 5 minutes.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
Unfortunately, this, once again, is a political amendment. If you
remember last year, the motion to recommit the gentleman had, that was
purely political after Mr. Dicks from Washington and I had made sure
that we had every dime in the bill to make sure that every veteran was
taken care of. And now to play politics with veterans I think is
extraordinarily offensive because, in this bill, we fully fund the
President's request. Everything that HUD says that we must do, every
dollar is here for the veterans. Now to raise an issue like this I
think is something that is not becoming to the House of
Representatives.
We have, like I said, Madam Chairman, fully funded $75 million for
10,000 new vouchers for our veterans. These vouchers are labor
intensive, involving both the Veterans Administration and HUD officials
in an intensive process moving veterans out of homelessness. The
program also provides veterans with supportive services so that they
receive job training and other services so that they can move toward a
path of independence.
We have heard repeatedly from HUD that 10,000 new veterans' vouchers
is the maximum number that can be processed. Let me say it again. From
the administration, from President Obama, from Secretary Donovan and
HUD, they are saying that they cannot handle any more capacity than the
money that we have.
Again, Madam Chairman, I would ask a ``no'' vote for this only
political vote. This is the second year in a row that we have had this.
I find it very, very offensive that anyone in this House believes that
we are not funding this to the full extent of what is asked for and
what is required for our veterans that have served this country so
well.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last
word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. First of all, I want to commend Chairman
Latham for including the $75 million in the base bill. As he said, that
will deal with 10,000 veterans who are homeless. I commend him and
President Obama for honoring their commitment to service the veterans.
To speak about amendments having political motives or having
political connotations, several amendments ago I think we did CDBG, and
I'm sure it had a few political connotations, but that's the way some
of these amendments come forward.
To Mr. Barber's amendment, I do have concerns that the offset may
impede HUD's ability to carry out its mission, but I look forward to
working with the gentleman to continue this important work. Hopefully,
as we work for the Senate, we'll be able to increase the allocation for
this bill.
I support the gentleman's amendment, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Barber).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. BARBER. Madam Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona will
be postponed.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
Program Office Salaries and Expenses
public and indian housing
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of Public
and Indian Housing, $197,000,000, of which $2,000,000 shall
remain available until September 30, 2015.
community planning and development
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of
Community Planning and Development, $99,000,000, of which
$1,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2015.
housing
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of
Housing, $377,000,000, of which $4,000,000 shall remain
available until September 30, 2015: Provided, That the
Secretary shall appoint an administrator of the Office of
Manufactured Housing within 120 days of enactment of this
Act: Provided further, That the funds made available under
this heading shall be reduced by $50,000 for each day that
the Department is in violation of the previous proviso.
policy development and research
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of Policy
Development and Research, $21,000,000, of which $500,000
shall remain available until September 30, 2015.
fair housing and equal opportunity
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of Fair
Housing and Equal Opportunity, $71,000,000, of which
$1,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2015.
office of healthy homes and lead hazard control
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of
Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control, $7,000,000, of which
$500,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2015.
Public and Indian Housing
tenant-based rental assistance
For activities and assistance for the provision of tenant-
based rental assistance authorized under the United States
Housing Act of 1937, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.)
(``the Act'' herein), not otherwise provided for,
$14,610,564,000, to remain available until expended, shall be
available on October 1, 2013 (in addition to the
$4,000,000,000 previously appropriated under this heading
that became available on October 1, 2013), and
$4,000,000,000, to remain available until expended, shall be
available on October 1, 2014: Provided, That amounts made
available under this heading are provided as follows:
(1) $17,000,000,000 shall be available for renewals of
expiring section 8 tenant-based annual contributions
contracts (including renewals of enhanced vouchers under any
provision of law authorizing such assistance under section
8(t) of the Act) and including renewal of other special
purpose incremental vouchers: Provided, That notwithstanding
any other provision of law, from amounts provided under this
paragraph and any carryover, the Secretary for the calendar
year 2014 funding cycle shall provide renewal funding for
each public housing agency based on validated voucher
management system
[[Page H5156]]
(VMS) leasing and cost data for the prior calendar year and
by applying an inflation factor as established by the
Secretary, by notice published in the Federal Register, and
by making any necessary adjustments for the costs associated
with the first-time renewal of vouchers under this paragraph,
including tenant protection and HOPE VI vouchers: Provided
further, That in determining calendar year 2014 funding
allocation under this heading for public housing agencies,
including agencies participating in the Moving To Work (MTW)
demonstration, the Secretary may take into account the
anticipated impact of changes in targeting, medical expense
thresholds, and utility allowances, to public housing
agencies' contract renewal needs: Provided further, That the
Secretary shall, to the extent necessary to stay within the
amount specified under this paragraph (except as otherwise
modified under this Act), pro rate each public housing
agency's allocation otherwise established pursuant to this
paragraph: Provided further, That except as provided in the
following provisos, the entire amount specified under this
paragraph (except as otherwise modified under this Act) shall
be obligated to the public housing agencies based on the
allocation and pro rata method described above, and the
Secretary shall notify public housing agencies of their
annual budget by the latter of 60 days after enactment of
this Act or March 1, 2014: Provided further, That the
Secretary may extend the notification period, with the prior
written approval of the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations: Provided further, That public housing
agencies participating in the MTW demonstration shall be
funded pursuant to their MTW agreements and shall be subject
to the same pro rata adjustments under the previous provisos:
Provided further, That the Secretary may offset public
housing agencies' calendar year 2014 allocations by the
excess amount of agencies' reserves as established by the
Secretary: Provided further, That public housing agencies
participating in the MTW demonstration shall also be subject
to the offset, as determined by the Secretary, from the
agencies' calendar year 2014 MTW funding allocation: Provided
further, That the Secretary shall use any offset referred to
in the previous two provisos throughout the calendar year to
prevent the termination of rental assistance for families as
the result of insufficient funding, as determined by the
Secretary, and to avoid or reduce the proration of renewal
funding allocations: Provided further, That up to $50,000,000
shall be available only: (1) for adjustments in the
allocations for public housing agencies, after application
for an adjustment by a public housing agency, that
experienced a significant increase, as determined by the
Secretary, in renewal costs of vouchers resulting from
unforeseen circumstances or from portability under section
8(r) of the Act; (2) for vouchers that were not in use during
the 12-month period in order to be available to meet a
commitment pursuant to section 8(o)(13) of the Act; (3) for
adjustments for costs associated with HUD-Veterans Affairs
Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers; (4) for adjustments
in the allocations for public housing agencies that
experienced a significant increase, as determined by the
Secretary, in renewal costs as a result of participation in
the Small Area Fair Market Rent demonstration: Provided
further, That the Secretary shall allocate amounts under the
previous proviso based on need as determined by the
Secretary; and (5) for public housing agencies that despite
taking reasonable cost savings measures, as determined by the
Secretary, would otherwise be required to terminate rental
assistance for families as the result of insufficient
funding;
(2) $75,000,000 shall be for section 8 rental assistance
for relocation and replacement of housing units that are
demolished or disposed of pursuant to section 18 of the Act,
conversion of section 23 projects to assistance under section
8, the family unification program under section 8(x) of the
Act, relocation of witnesses in connection with efforts to
combat crime in public and assisted housing pursuant to a
request from a law enforcement or prosecution agency,
enhanced vouchers under any provision of law authorizing such
assistance under section 8(t) of the Act, HOPE VI vouchers,
mandatory and voluntary conversions, and tenant protection
assistance including replacement and relocation assistance or
for project-based assistance to prevent the displacement of
unassisted elderly tenants currently residing in section 202
properties financed between 1959 and 1974 that are refinanced
pursuant to Public Law 106-569, as amended, or under the
authority as provided under this Act: Provided, That when a
public housing development is submitted for demolition or
disposition under section 18 of the Act, the Secretary may
provide section 8 rental assistance when the units pose an
imminent health and safety risk to residents: Provided
further, That the Secretary may only provide replacement
vouchers for units that were occupied within the previous 24
months that cease to be available as assisted housing,
subject only to the availability of funds: Provided further,
That of the amounts made available under this paragraph,
$5,000,000 may be available to provide tenant protection
assistance, not otherwise provided under this paragraph, to
residents residing in low vacancy areas and who may have to
pay rents greater than 30 percent of household income, as the
result of (1) the maturity of a HUD-insured, HUD held or
section 202 loan that requires the permission of the
Secretary prior to loan prepayment; (2) the expiration of a
rental assistance contract for which the tenants are not
eligible for enhanced voucher or tenant protection assistance
under existing law; or (3) the expiration of affordability
restrictions accompanying a mortgage or preservation program
administered by the Secretary: Provided further, That such
tenant protection assistance made available under the
previous proviso may be provided under the authority of
section 8(t) or section 8(o)(13) of the United States Housing
Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(t)): Provided further, That the
Secretary shall issue guidance to implement the previous
provisos, including, but not limited to, requirements for
defining eligible at-risk households within 120 days of the
enactment of this Act, for the purposes under this paragraph,
may use unobligated balances, including recaptures and
carryovers, remaining from amounts appropriated in prior
fiscal years under this heading for voucher assistance for
nonelderly disabled families and for disaster assistance made
available under Public Law 110-329;
(3) $1,350,000,000 shall be for administrative and other
expenses of public housing agencies in administering the
section 8 tenant-based rental assistance program, of which up
to $15,000,000 shall be available to the Secretary to
allocate to public housing agencies that need additional
funds to administer their section 8 programs, including fees
associated with section 8 tenant protection rental
assistance, the administration of disaster-related vouchers,
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers, and other
special purpose incremental vouchers: Provided, That no less
than $1,335,000,000 of the amount provided in this paragraph
shall be allocated to public housing agencies for the
calendar year 2014 funding cycle based on section 8(q) of the
Act (and related Appropriation Act provisions) as in effect
immediately before the enactment of the Quality Housing and
Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-276):
Provided further, That if the amounts made available under
this paragraph are insufficient to pay the amounts determined
under the previous proviso, the Secretary may decrease the
amounts allocated to agencies by a uniform percentage
applicable to all agencies receiving funding under this
paragraph or may, to the extent necessary to provide full
payment of amounts determined under the previous proviso,
utilize unobligated balances, including recaptures and
carryovers, remaining from funds appropriated to the
Department of Housing and Urban Development under this
heading from prior fiscal years, notwithstanding the purposes
for which such amounts were appropriated: Provided further,
That all public housing agencies participating in the MTW
demonstration shall be funded pursuant to their MTW
agreements, and shall be subject to the same uniform
percentage decrease as under the previous proviso: Provided
further, That amounts provided under this paragraph shall be
only for activities related to the provision of tenant-based
rental assistance authorized under section 8, including
related development activities;
(4) $110,564,000 for the renewal of tenant-based assistance
contracts under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National
Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013), including necessary
administrative expenses: Provided, That administrative and
other expenses of public housing agencies in administering
the special purpose vouchers in this paragraph shall be
funded under the same terms and be subject to the same pro
rata reduction as the percent decrease for administrative and
other expenses to public housing agencies under paragraph (3)
of this heading;
(5) $75,000,000 for incremental rental voucher assistance
for use through a supported housing program administered in
conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs as
authorized under section 8(o)(19) of the United States
Housing Act of 1937: Provided, That the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development shall make such funding available,
notwithstanding section 204 (competition provision) of this
title, to public housing agencies that partner with eligible
VA Medical Centers or other entities as designated by the
Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, based on
geographical need for such assistance as identified by the
Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, public
housing agency administrative performance, and other factors
as specified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development in consultation with the Secretary of the
Department of Veterans Affairs: Provided further, That the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may waive, or
specify alternative requirements for (in consultation with
the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs), any
provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development administers in connection with
the use of funds made available under this paragraph (except
for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination,
labor standards, and the environment), upon a finding by the
Secretary that any such waivers or alternative requirements
are necessary for the effective delivery and administration
of such voucher assistance: Provided further, That assistance
made available under this paragraph shall continue to remain
available for homeless veterans upon turn-over; and
(6) The Secretary shall separately track all special
purpose vouchers funded under this heading.
[[Page H5157]]
Amendment Offered by Mr. Nadler
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the
gentleman's amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. A point of order is reserved.
The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 71, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000,000)''.
Page 72, line 4, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000,000)''
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from New York is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chairman, much of the debate today on this bill has
focused on tough choices--accepting cuts to one program to make sure
another program stays afloat. But the reality is that these so-called
tough choices are nothing compared to the choices this bill would force
on hundreds of thousands of low-income families: whether to buy food
for their children, to fill their necessary prescriptions, or to pay
their rent.
Today, the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly known as section
8, ensures that many fewer families have to make such choices by
providing rental assistance to 2.2 million households with incomes well
below the poverty line. Half of these households are headed by seniors
or people with disabilities, and the rest are typically families with
children. Study after study by HUD, GAO, and independent researchers
have demonstrated that the section 8 voucher program is a cost-
effective means of providing very low-income families secure housing
and preventing homelessness.
Typically, Congress has provided State and local housing agencies the
funds necessary to renew every housing voucher used in the previous
fiscal year, thereby ensuring that families have stable housing, kids
stay in school, and parents stay in the workforce. This year, however,
for only the third time in the program's 40-year history, this bill
would fail to provide sufficient, or even close to sufficient, funding
to renew all existing housing vouchers.
Because of sequestration, nearly 100,000 fewer families, and maybe as
many as 150,000 fewer families, will receive housing assistance this
year. I have already heard from housing agencies across New York State
who are turning away families on waiting lists and pulling back issued
vouchers for families who have not yet signed a lease agreement. If the
bill becomes law as written, thousands of low-income families will lose
their existing vouchers, will be evicted from their homes, and will end
up living on the streets.
Despite the risks for these families, the bill before us today
provides only $17 billion for housing choice voucher renewals, locking
in sequestration cuts, and cutting off 100,000 families from housing
assistance. To protect these families, I am offering this amendment to
increase funding for section 8 voucher renewals by $1 billion.
These additional funds will ensure that housing agencies can renew
existing eligible vouchers this year and that no additional families
will have to face the choice between putting food on the table and
paying their rent, between filling their prescriptions and living on
the street. I say no additional families will have to face this choice
because the current allocation of section 8 is far too meager and there
are hundreds of thousands of families on the waiting list. But at least
with this amendment, no additional families will be thrown out on the
street because we will renew existing vouchers.
{time} 2115
Under the bill as written, upwards of 100,000 or so families will not
have their vouchers renewed and will be forced to be evicted. This
amendment will ensure not additional section 8 vouchers but simply that
existing vouchers will be maintained for people who are living on
section 8 vouchers now.
Madam Chairperson, our first objective must be to prevent further
hardship to the poorest among us and to prevent the evictions of people
currently receiving section 8 vouchers.
I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Point of Order
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairwoman, I insist on my point of order.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman will state his point of order.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairwoman, the amendment proposes a net increase
in budget authority in the bill. The amendment is not in order under
section 3(d)(3) of House Resolution 5, the 113th Congress, which
states:
It shall not be in order to consider an amendment to a
general appropriations bill proposing a net increase in
budget authority in the bill unless considered en bloc with
another amendment or amendments proposing an equal or greater
decrease in such budget authority pursuant to clause 2(f) of
rule XXI.
The amendment proposes a net increase in budget authority in the bill
in violation of this section. This amendment would increase net budget
authority by $1 billion.
I ask for a ruling of the Chair.
The Acting CHAIR. Does any other Member wish to be heard on the
gentleman's point of order?
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chairwoman, I think we can all agree the amendment
is necessary. We are talking about evicting 100,000 to 150,000 families
from an efficient, cost-effective program that keeps families together
and that lowers our costs over the long term. Without this amendment,
you will see a spike in homelessness, a spike in medical costs and a
spike in hungry kids.
I understand the chairman's point of order, and I understand that the
rules demand an offset for any funding increase in the bill. However,
when funding levels are as restrictive across the board as they are in
this bill and when the rules require that a majority in the House
cannot increase the total funds allocated by the Appropriations
Committee to this bill, it is impossible to----
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman will confine his remarks to the point
of order.
Mr. NADLER. I am very much on the point.
When the rules require that a majority in the House cannot increase
the total funds allocated by the Appropriations Committee to this bill,
it is impossible to remedy such a drastic cut without hurting other
people in need. I hope, as we go forward, that we can find a way to
provide these funds so that hundreds of thousands of very low-income
working families and seniors are not put out on the street. I hope we
will recognize that the Senate bill is less brutal than the bill now
before us.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair is prepared to rule.
The gentleman from Iowa makes a point of order that the amendment
offered by the gentleman from New York violates section 3(d)(3) of
House Resolution 5.
Section 3(d)(3) establishes a point of order against an amendment
proposing a net increase in budget authority in the pending bill.
As persuasively asserted by the gentleman from Iowa, the amendment
proposes a net increase in budget authority in the bill. Therefore, the
point of order is sustained. The amendment is not in order.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
housing certificate fund
(includes rescissions)
Unobligated balances, including recaptures and carryover,
remaining from funds appropriated to the Department of
Housing and Urban Development under this heading, the heading
``Annual Contributions for Assisted Housing'', and the
heading ``Project-Based Rental Assistance'', for fiscal year
2014 and prior years may be used for renewal of or amendments
to section 8 project-based contracts and for performance-
based contract administrators, notwithstanding the purposes
for which such funds were appropriated: Provided, That any
obligated balances of contract authority from fiscal year
1974 and prior that have been terminated shall be rescinded:
Provided further, That amounts previously recaptured, or
recaptured during the current fiscal year, from section 8
project-based contracts from source years fiscal year 1975
through fiscal year 1987 are hereby permanently rescinded,
and an amount of additional new budget authority, equivalent
to the amount permanently rescinded is hereby appropriated,
to remain available until expended, for the purposes set
forth under this heading, in addition to amounts otherwise
available.
public housing capital fund
For the Public Housing Capital Fund Program to carry out
capital and management
[[Page H5158]]
activities for public housing agencies, as authorized under
section 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437g) (the ``Act''), $1,500,000,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2017: Provided, That notwithstanding any
other provision of law or regulation, during fiscal year 2014
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may not
delegate to any Department official other than the Deputy
Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing any authority under paragraph (2) of section 9(j)
regarding the extension of the time periods under such
section: Provided further, That for purposes of such section
9(j), the term ``obligate'' means, with respect to amounts,
that the amounts are subject to a binding agreement that will
result in outlays, immediately or in the future: Provided
further, That up to $8,000,000 shall be to support ongoing
Public Housing Financial and Physical Assessment activities:
Provided further, That of the total amount provided under
this heading, not to exceed $20,000,000 shall be available
for the Secretary to make grants, notwithstanding section 204
of this Act, to public housing agencies for emergency capital
needs including safety and security measures necessary to
address crime and drug-related activity as well as needs
resulting from unforeseen or unpreventable emergencies and
natural disasters excluding Presidentially declared
emergencies and natural disasters under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et
seq.) occurring in fiscal year 2014: Provided further, That
from the funds made available under this heading, the
Secretary shall provide bonus awards in fiscal year 2014 to
public housing agencies that are designated high performers:
Provided further, That up to $15,000,000 of funds made
available under this heading shall be used for a Jobs-Plus
Pilot initiative modeled after the Jobs-Plus demonstration:
Provided further, That the Jobs-Plus Pilot initiative shall
provide competitive grants to partnerships between public
housing authorities, local workforce investment boards
established under section 117 of the Workforce Investment Act
of 1998, and other agencies and organizations that provide
support to help public housing residents obtain employment
and increase earnings: Provided further, That the Secretary
may waive or specify alternative requirements for any
provision of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (except
for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination,
labor standards, and the environment) upon a finding by the
Secretary that any such waivers or alternative requirements
are necessary for the effective implementation of the Jobs-
Plus Pilot initiative: Provided further, That the Secretary
shall publish by notice in the Federal Register any waivers
or alternative requirements pursuant to the preceding proviso
no later than 10 days before the effective date of such
notice.
public housing operating fund
For 2014 payments to public housing agencies for the
operation and management of public housing, as authorized by
section 9(e) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437g(e)), $4,262,010,000: Provided, That in
determining public housing agencies', including Moving to
Work agencies', calendar year 2014 funding allocations under
this heading, the Secretary shall take into account the
impact of changes in flat rents and medical expense
thresholds on public housing agencies' formula income levels.
choice neighborhoods initiative
(rescission)
Of the funds made available for ``Department of Housing and
Urban Development-Public and Indian Housing - Choice
Neighborhoods Initiative'' by division F of Public Law 113-6,
$120,000,000 is rescinded.
family self-sufficiency
For the Family Self-Sufficiency program to support family
self-sufficiency coordinators under section 23 of the United
States Housing Act of 1937, to promote the development of
local strategies to coordinate the use of assistance under
sections 8(o) and 9 of such Act with public and private
resources, and enable eligible families to achieve economic
independence and self-sufficiency, $60,000,000: Provided,
That the Secretary may, by Federal Register notice, waive or
specify alternative requirements (except for requirements
related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards,
and the environment) for any provision of section 23 of such
Act in order to better fulfill the purposes of section 23 of
such Act, as determined by the Secretary.
native american housing block grants
For the Native American Housing Block Grants program, as
authorized under title I of the Native American Housing
Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) (25
U.S.C. 4111 et seq.), $600,000,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2018: Provided, That, notwithstanding the
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act
of 1996, to determine the amount of the allocation under
title I of such Act for each Indian tribe, the Secretary
shall apply the formula under section 302 of such Act with
the need component based on single-race census data and with
the need component based on multi-race census data, and the
amount of the allocation for each Indian tribe shall be the
greater of the two resulting allocation amounts: Provided
further, That of the amounts made available under this
heading, $2,000,000 shall be contracted for assistance for
national or regional organizations representing Native
American housing interests for providing training and
technical assistance to Indian housing authorities and
tribally designated housing entities as authorized under
NAHASDA; and $2,000,000 shall be to support the inspection of
Indian housing units, contract expertise, training, and
technical assistance in the training, oversight, and
management of such Indian housing and tenant-based
assistance, including up to $300,000 for related travel:
Provided further, That of the amount provided under this
heading, $2,000,000 shall be made available for the cost of
guaranteed notes and other obligations, as authorized by
title VI of NAHASDA: Provided further, That such costs,
including the costs of modifying such notes and other
obligations, shall be as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended: Provided
further, That these funds are available to subsidize the
total principal amount of any notes and other obligations,
any part of which is to be guaranteed, not to exceed
$16,530,000.
indian housing loan guarantee fund program account
For the cost of guaranteed loans, as authorized by section
184 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12
U.S.C. 1715z-13a), $6,000,000, to remain available until
expended: Provided, That such costs, including the costs of
modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That
these funds are available to subsidize total loan principal,
any part of which is to be guaranteed, up to $1,818,000,000,
to remain available until expended: Provided further, That up
to $750,000 of this amount may be used for administrative
contract expenses including management processes and systems
to carry out the loan guarantee program.
Community Planning and Development
housing opportunities for persons with aids
For carrying out the Housing Opportunities for Persons with
AIDS program, as authorized by the AIDS Housing Opportunity
Act (42 U.S.C. 12901 et seq.), $303,000,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2015, except that amounts
allocated pursuant to section 854(c)(3) of such Act shall
remain available until September 30, 2016: Provided, That the
Secretary shall renew all expiring contracts for permanent
supportive housing that initially were funded under section
854(c)(3) of such Act from funds made available under this
heading in fiscal year 2010 and prior fiscal years that meet
all program requirements before awarding funds for new
contracts under each section, and if amounts provided under
this heading pursuant to such section are insufficient to
fund renewals for all such expiring contracts, then amounts
made available under this heading for formula grants pursuant
to section 854(c)(1) shall be used to provide the balance of
such renewal funding before awarding funds for such formula
grants: Provided further, That the Department shall notify
grantees of their formula allocation within 60 days of
enactment of this Act.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Nadler
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairwoman, I reserve a point of order on the
gentleman's amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. A point of order is reserved.
The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 88, line 8, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $29,000,000)''.
Page 110, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $29,000,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from New York is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chairman, since 1992, the Housing Opportunities for
People with AIDS, or HOPWA, has provided a vital housing safety net for
people battling HIV-AIDS. Nearly 1.2 million Americans are living with
HIV-AIDS. More than 145,000 currently lack stable housing, and 500,000
will need some form of housing assistance during the course of their
illnesses. Research consistently shows that a lack of stable housing is
a major barrier to effective treatment for people living with AIDS and
puts them at significant risk of premature death from poor nutrition,
exposure to other diseases and a lack of medical care.
HOPWA fills this gap by providing secure housing through one of the
most effective programs in HUD's portfolio, and it is the only one that
addresses the intersection of housing and health. Within 1 year, 96
percent of HOPWA participants achieve disease stabilization and reduced
viral loads. Because housing stability plays a key role in preventing
the spread of the virus, HOPWA contributes to better individual and
community health outcomes. Further, for every $1 of HOPWA funding
spent, $3.35 is leveraged from other Federal, State and local programs,
and every $1 million in HOPWA
[[Page H5159]]
funding provides housing and support for 171 families. For that reason,
HOPWA has enjoyed broad, bipartisan support since its first
authorization more than 20 years ago.
Despite HOPWA's proven track record in improving health and housing
outcomes for communities, this year's Transportation-HUD appropriations
bill would cut $29 million in HOPWA funding. The committee's
recommendation of $303 million brings the allocation for HOPWA back to
FY 2008 funding levels despite the fact that there are 100,000
individuals more who are infected with HIV-AIDS than in 2008.
I recognize that $29 million may sound small by Federal budgeting
standards, but to the individuals and families who rely on HOPWA for
stable housing and access to support services, these cuts are anything
but small. If this funding level becomes law, nearly 5,000 families and
individuals will lose access to HOPWA housing and all the health
benefits that go with it. For those families, this cut is a matter of
life and death.
For that reason, I am offering this amendment to restore the $29
million cut from HOPWA this year and return it to the same funding
level it has received for the last 2 fiscal years. This amendment would
ensure that those 5,000 families and individuals who rely on HOPWA for
secure, stable housing will not suddenly find themselves back on the
street with no access to life-saving medical treatment.
To protect those 5,000 households and stay within the House rules, I
would have to cut $29 million from another account, but at the funding
levels included in this bill, any offset would fundamentally undermine
HUD's ability to provide services to hundreds of millions of families
every day.
HOPWA provides life-saving, efficient services to thousands of
families and individuals impacted by HIV-AIDS. Will you work in
conference to reach a workable funding level that ensures families and
individuals currently served by HOPWA do not lose access to their
housing?
Mr. LATHAM. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. NADLER. I yield to the gentleman from Iowa.
Mr. LATHAM. I will be more than happy to work with the gentleman on
this issue as we move through the process.
Mr. NADLER. Thank you.
Madam Chairman, I appreciate the chairman's willingness to work on
this issue in conference and to find a funding level that maintains
this highly effective life-saving program, and I am, therefore, looking
forward to those efforts.
At this time, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman
from New York?
There was no objection.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
community development fund
For assistance to units of State and local government, and
to other entities, for economic and community development
activities, and for other purposes, $1,696,813,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2016, unless otherwise
specified: Provided, That of the total amount provided,
$1,636,813,000 is for carrying out the community development
block grant program under title I of the Housing and
Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (the ``Act''
herein) (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.): Provided further, That
unless explicitly provided for under this heading, not to
exceed 20 percent of any grant made with funds appropriated
under this heading shall be expended for planning and
management development and administration: Provided further,
That $60,000,000 shall be for grants to Indian tribes
notwithstanding section 106(a)(1) of such Act, of which,
notwithstanding any other provision of law (including section
204 of this Act), up to $3,960,000 may be used for
emergencies that constitute imminent threats to health and
safety: Provided further, That none of the funds made
available under this heading may be used for grants for the
Economic Development Initiative (``EDI'') or Neighborhood
Initiatives activities, Rural Innovation Fund, or for grants
pursuant to section 107 of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5307): Provided further,
That the Department shall notify grantees of their formula
allocation within 60 days of enactment of this Act.
empowerment zones/enterprise communities/renewal communities
(rescission)
Unobligated balances, including recaptures and carryover,
remaining from funds appropriated to the Department of
Housing and Urban Development under this heading are hereby
permanently rescinded.
community development loan guarantees program account
(including rescission of funds)
Subject to section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974, during fiscal year 2014 commitments to guarantee loans
under section 108 of the Housing and Community Development
Act of 1974, any part of which is guaranteed, shall not
exceed a total principal amount of $500,000,000,
notwithstanding any aggregate limitation on outstanding
obligations guaranteed in subsection (k) of such section 108:
Provided, That the Secretary shall collect fees from
borrowers, notwithstanding subsection (m) of such section
108, to result in a credit subsidy cost of zero, and such
fees shall be collected in accordance with section 502(7) of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That
all unobligated balances, including recaptures and carryover,
remaining from funds appropriated to the Department of
Housing and Urban Development under this heading are hereby
permanently rescinded.
home investment partnerships program
For the HOME Investment Partnerships program, as authorized
under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable
Housing Act, as amended, $700,000,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2016: Provided, That notwithstanding the
amount made available under this heading, the threshold
reduction requirements in sections 216(10) and 217(b)(4) of
such Act shall not apply to allocation of such amount:
Provided further, That funds made available under this
heading used for projects not completed within 4 years of the
commitment date, as determined by a signature of each party
to the agreement, shall be repaid: Provided further, That the
Secretary may extend the deadline by 1 year if the Secretary
determines that the failure to complete the project is beyond
the control of the participating jurisdiction: Provided
further, That no funds provided under this heading may be
commited to any project included as part of a participating
jurisdiction's plan under section 105(b), unless each
participating jurisdiction certifies that it has conducted an
underwriting review, assessed developer capacity and fiscal
soundness, and examined neighborhood market conditions to
ensure adequate need for each project: Provided further, That
any homeownership units funded under this heading which
cannot be sold to an eligible homeowner within 6 months of
project completion shall be rented to an eligible tenant:
Provided further, That no funds provided under this heading
may be awarded for development activities to a community
housing development organization that cannot demonstrate that
it has staff with demonstrated development experience:
Provided further, That the preceding provisos, except the
first proviso, shall not be effective during any period in
which the Final Rule titled ``Home Investment Partnerships
Program; Improving Performance and Accountability; Updating
Property Standards'' is published and effective: Provided
further, That funds provided in prior appropriations Acts for
technical assistance, and that still remain available, may be
used for HOME technical assistance notwithstanding the
purposes for which such amounts were appropriated: Provided
further, That the Department shall notify grantees of their
formula allocations within 60 days of enactment of this Act.
self-help and assisted homeownership opportunity program
For the Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity
Program, as authorized under section 11 of the Housing
Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996, as amended,
$30,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2016:
Provided, That of the total amount provided under this
heading, $10,000,000 shall be made available to the Self-Help
and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program as authorized
under section 11 of the Housing Opportunity Program Extension
Act of 1996, as amended: Provided further, That $15,000,000
shall be made available for the second, third, and fourth
capacity building activities authorized under section 4(a) of
the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 9816 note), of
which not less than $5,000,000 shall be made available for
rural capacity-building activities: Provided further, That
$5,000,000 shall be made available for capacity building by
national rural housing organizations with experience
assessing national rural conditions and providing financing,
training, technical assistance, information, and research to
local nonprofits, local governments and Indian Tribes serving
high need rural communities.
homeless assistance grants
For the emergency solutions grants program as authorized
under subtitle B of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act, as amended; and the continuum of care program
as authorized under subtitle C of title IV of such Act; and
the rural housing stability assistance program as authorized
under subtitle D of title IV of such Act, $2,088,000,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2016: Provided, That any
rental assistance amounts that are recaptured under such
continuum of care program shall remain available until
expended: Provided further, That not less than $200,000,000
of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be
available for such emergency solutions
[[Page H5160]]
grants program: Provided further, That not less than
$1,882,000,000 of the funds appropriated under this heading
shall be available for such continuum of care and rural
housing stability assistance program: Provided further, That
up to $6,000,000 of the funds appropriated under this heading
shall be available for the national homeless data analysis
project: Provided further, That all funds awarded for
supportive services under the continuum of care program and
the rural housing stability assistance program shall be
matched by not less than 25 percent in cash or in kind by
each grantee: Provided further, That for all match
requirements applicable to funds made available under this
heading for this fiscal year and prior years, a grantee may
use (or could have used) as a source of match funds other
funds administered by the Secretary and other Federal
agencies unless there is (or was) a specific statutory
prohibition on any such use of any such funds: Provided
further, That all awards of assistance under this heading
shall be required to coordinate and integrate homeless
programs with other mainstream health, social services, and
employment programs for which homeless populations may be
eligible, including Medicaid, State Children's Health
Insurance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families,
Food Stamps, and services funding through the Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Block Grant, Workforce Investment Act,
and the Welfare-to-Work grant program: Provided further, That
all balances for Shelter Plus Care renewals previously funded
from the Shelter Plus Care Renewal account and transferred to
this account shall be available, if recaptured, for continuum
of care renewals in fiscal year 2014: Provided further, That
the Department shall notify grantees of their formula
allocation from amounts allocated (which may represent
initial or final amounts allocated) for the emergency
solutions grant program within 60 days of enactment of this
Act.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Broun of Georgia
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the
desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 94, line 8, after the dollar amount, insert ``reduced
by $55,000,000''.
Page 94, line 15, after the dollar amount, insert ``reduced
by $55,000,000''.
Page 150, line 8, after the dollar amount, insert
``increased by $55,000,000''.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chairman, this amendment would remove the
$55 million increase--and only the increase--from the Homeless
Assistance Grant Program and transfer that same amount into the
Spending Reduction account.
I understand that times are tough nationwide--that they are tough for
families, that they are tough for businesses and that everyone has to
cut back. We have to live within our means, but the fact remains that
we are broke as a country. Our Federal Government is in massive,
massive debt. According to the committee report, the $55 million
increase proposed for this program would be used to increase funding
for the Continuum of Care Projects and Emergency Solutions Grants.
Madam Chairman, these are worthy programs. They help a lot of people
who are transitioning out of homelessness, but I'm not asking that we
cut their funding. Not at all. I'm simply asking that we hold the
line--fund what we have been funding and put the rest of this large
increase towards fixing our Nation's debt crisis.
I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. LATHAM. I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Iowa is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairwoman, I must rise in opposition to the
gentleman's amendment.
I think everyone needs to understand that we already cut $7.7 billion
from what was provided in 2013 and that this is actually $4.4 billion
less than the current rate of spending under sequestration. So
everybody talks about sequestration when, in this bill, we are actually
$4.4 billion less than that already. To deliver this fiscally
responsible reduction, we carefully prioritized programs to preserve
housing options for families that are already counting on HUD for
support in 2014.
The funding level provided reflects what is required to renew
commitments by HUD to State and local programs that serve the homeless.
With less funding, homeless shelters and other service providers will
operate at a lower capacity or, Madam Chairman, many of them will
close, putting people who currently need help at risk.
For those reasons, Madam Chairwoman, I urge a ``no'' on this
amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from New York is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Chairman, I listened carefully to the gentleman
from Georgia, who talks about the fiscal crisis--that this country is
broke and that we have to cut spending drastically. This country is not
broke. This country is the wealthiest country in the world, but we are
breaking ourselves, and we are breaking ourselves by cutting too much
and by following a silly economic policy.
When President Obama took office, this country had a deficit in the
first fiscal year of $1.6 trillion. That was the last Bush budget,
because, in the first year of any President, he is living under the
former budget. The budget passed just before he took office.
{time} 2130
We had a $1.6 trillion budget deficit, and we were losing 800,000
jobs a month. The President and the Democratic Congress decided that to
reduce the deficit and to reduce unemployment, we had to spend some
money to stimulate the economy. We had to put money into
infrastructure, into jobs; and we did it. Congress passed it. It didn't
do enough. But the fact is, within a year, we were gaining 250,000 jobs
a month instead of losing 800,000 a month. We turned the economy around
by a million jobs a month, and the deficit started falling.
The deficit has fallen like a rock. It's been reduced by 60 percent
since the 2009 fiscal year. We've had the fastest deficit reduction in
the last 3 years since the demobilization after World War II; and,
frankly, it's going too fast. Any economist will tell you that the too-
rapid reduction in Federal spending is hindering the economy and
hurting jobs.
The sequester has probably cut about one point off the gross domestic
product. We have done what we have to do on the deficit for now. We
have to do more in the long term. For now, it's still dropping like a
rock. It's been cut by 60 percent. And now we ought to pivot and create
jobs, even if that means spending money, but certainly not by cutting
so much more. When we create jobs, that creates tax revenues; it
reduces expenditures on things like unemployment and food stamps and
reduces the deficit.
If you want to see exactly what happened--it's rare in life that you
get a controlled experiment. The economies in the United States and
Europe tracked. They collapsed in 2007 until 2009. In 2009, they
started going up slowly, and they kept going up until 2010. In 2010,
the U.S. economy kept going up slowly, and the European economies went
into a double-dip recession and tanked and unemployment went way up.
Why? Because in Europe in 2010, they did what the American voters
wisely refused to do, they elected conservative governments which cut
spending much more and which endorsed austerity policies. What did they
get? Higher unemployment and higher deficits.
When I hear this rhetoric, it's just backwards. We've done enough on
the deficit for now. We have more to do later, but for now we ought to
create jobs. That will reduce the deficit by increasing employment, by
increasing tax revenues from people who are employed, and by decreasing
expenditures that go up when there's unemployment, mainly food stamps
and unemployment insurance.
I just had to say that this rhetoric is just wrong. The policies that
we keep hearing about from that side of the aisle are driving us more
and more into debt and more and more into unemployment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last
word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Arizona is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition to this
amendment as this is one of the few accounts in this bill which reached
an increase; yet it is still nearly $3 million below the President's
request and actual need.
[[Page H5161]]
As it is, HUD and homeless providers are skeptical that the amount
provided in the bill is sufficient to provide the same level of
services that we provided last year. Reducing this account would
further jeopardize our Nation's ability to provide housing for the
homeless.
I oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia will
be postponed.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
Housing Programs
project-based rental assistance
(including transfer of funds)
For activities and assistance for the provision of project-
based subsidy contracts under the United States Housing Act
of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) (``the Act''), not otherwise
provided for, $9,050,672,000, to remain available until
expended, shall be available on October 1, 2013 (in addition
to the $400,000,000 previously appropriated under this
heading that became available October 1, 2013), and
$400,000,000, to remain available until expended, shall be
available on October 1, 2014: Provided, That the amounts made
available under this heading shall be available for expiring
or terminating section 8 project-based subsidy contracts
(including section 8 moderate rehabilitation contracts), for
amendments to section 8 project-based subsidy contracts
(including section 8 moderate rehabilitation contracts), for
contracts entered into pursuant to section 441 of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11401), for
renewal of section 8 contracts for units in projects that are
subject to approved plans of action under the Emergency Low
Income Housing Preservation Act of 1987 or the Low-Income
Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990,
and for administrative and other expenses associated with
project-based activities and assistance funded under this
paragraph: Provided further, That of the total amounts
provided under this heading, up to $200,000,000 may be
transferred to the Office of Housing for the administration
of contracts funded under this heading: Provided further,
That amounts recaptured under this heading, the heading
``Annual Contributions for Assisted Housing'', or the heading
``Housing Certificate Fund'' may be used for renewals of or
amendments to section 8 project-based contracts,
notwithstanding the purposes for which such amounts were
appropriated: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any
other provision of law, upon the request of the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development, project funds that are held in
residual receipts accounts for any project subject to a
section 8 project-based Housing Assistance Payments contract
that authorizes HUD to require that surplus project funds be
deposited in an interest-bearing residual receipts account
and that are in excess of an amount to be determined by the
Secretary, shall be remitted to the Department and deposited
in this account, to be available until expended: Provided
further, That amounts deposited pursuant to the previous
proviso shall be available in addition to the amount
otherwise provided by this heading for uses authorized under
this heading.
housing for the elderly
For amendments to capital advance contracts for housing for
the elderly, as authorized by section 202 of the Housing Act
of 1959, as amended, and for project rental assistance for
the elderly under section 202(c)(2) of such Act, including
amendments to contracts for such assistance and renewal of
expiring contracts for such assistance for up to a 1-year
term, and for senior preservation rental assistance
contracts, as authorized by section 811(e) of the American
Housing and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000, as amended, and
for supportive services associated with the housing,
$374,627,000 to remain available until September 30, 2017:
Provided, That of the amount provided under this heading, up
to $70,000,000 shall be for service coordinators and the
continuation of existing congregate service grants for
residents of assisted housing projects: Provided further,
That amounts under this heading shall be available for Real
Estate Assessment Center inspections and inspection-related
activities associated with section 202 projects: Provided
further, That the Secretary may waive the provisions of
section 202 governing the terms and conditions of project
rental assistance, except that the initial contract term for
such assistance shall not exceed 5 years in duration:
Provided further, That upon the request of the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development, project funds that are held in
residual receipts accounts for any project subject to a
section 202 project rental assistance contract and that upon
termination of such contract are in excess of an amount to be
determined by the Secretary shall be remitted to the
Department and deposited in this account, to be available
until September 30, 2017: Provided further, That amounts
deposited in this account pursuant to the previous proviso
shall be available, in addition to the amounts otherwise
provided by this heading, for the purposes authorized under
this heading, and such funds, together with such other funds,
may be used by the Secretary for demonstration programs to
test housing with services models for the elderly: Provided
further, That unobligated balances, including recaptures and
carryover, remaining from funds transferred to or
appropriated under this heading may be used for the current
purposes authorized under this heading, notwithstanding the
purposes for which such funds were originally appropriated.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Latham
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 96, line 9, strike ``(in addition to the $400,000,000
previously appropriated under this heading that became
available October 1, 2013), and'' and insert ``, of which
$400,000,000 was previously appropriated under this heading
to be available October 1, 2013; and in addition,''.
Mr. LATHAM (during the reading). Madam Chair, I ask unanimous consent
to dispense with the reading.
The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman
from Iowa?
There was no objection.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Iowa is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairwoman, this is purely a technical amendment
clarifying the funds available for the project-based rental assistance
account.
It was our intention to provide the same amount for the rental
contracts in FY 14 as was provided in FY 13. However, because of a
clerical error that was carried forward in the CBO scoring, we need
this amendment to keep the bill within our 302(b) allocation. This
amendment does not change the committee's intention of level-funding
the project-based rental contracts.
I urge the adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Madam Chairwoman, I move to strike the last
word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Arizona is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Madam Chairwoman, the gentleman has cleared
this amendment with our side, and it makes technical corrections to the
section of the bill.
We have no objection to this amendment, and I yield back the balance
of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Latham).
The amendment was agreed to.
Ms. JENKINS. Madam Chairwoman, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Kansas is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. JENKINS. Madam Chairwoman, I would like to thank Chairman Latham
for his work in crafting this appropriation bill to fund our Federal
transportation and housing programs. This already difficult task was
made more difficult because of the House's adherence to the
sequestration cuts, and I applaud the entire committee for working
within these parameters.
I'd also like to rise in support of a provision to strengthen the
safety net for our veterans in need by making some changes to the HUD
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing or HUD-VASH program. The HUD-VASH
program is an example of a program worthy of Federal funding. It helps
our homeless veterans who served and defended our Nation to obtain
viable housing assistance. I believe that we can all agree that
supporting our veterans, particularly our homeless veterans, is a
worthy and worthwhile initiative. Veterans and their families sacrifice
tremendously to fight to preserve the freedoms you and I enjoy.
After discussing the program with communities in Kansas, I believe
there are several changes that can be made in order to improve delivery
of the program from local housing authorities to veterans. The changes
would direct that the Department of Housing and Urban Development track
HUD-VASH vouchers after they've been awarded to public housing agencies
to ensure these funds are able to be fully utilized to help homeless
veterans. This will aid
[[Page H5162]]
housing agencies in differentiating VASH vouchers from other section 9
vouchers in the same pool. The suggested changes would also require the
Department of Housing and Urban Development to work with public
agencies to adopt a simple process for reporting HUD-VASH vouchers from
one community to another based on need by a community's homeless
veterans. Streamlining this process would give flexibility to our
communities to ensure that VASH vouchers are utilized by as many
qualified veterans as possible.
Finally, my proposal would require HUD to implement a guidance
recognizing the delay that public housing authorities sometimes face in
distributing a HUD-VASH voucher while a veteran is in a drug or alcohol
rehabilitation program. This will continue to allow housing agencies to
reserve HUD-VASH vouchers for these homeless veterans without it
affecting their administrative performance in the eyes of the
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Mr. LATHAM. Will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. JENKINS. I yield to the gentleman from Iowa.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairwoman, I want to thank the gentlelady for her
concern about housing for our Nation's most vulnerable veterans. I
agree with her that we should do everything in our power to ensure that
the HUD-VASH program works and serves homeless veterans in the most
efficient manner possible.
I look forward to working with the gentlelady on her concerns and
would encourage the authorizers to look at this issue as they consider
reforms across the housing programs.
Ms. JENKINS. Madam Chair, reclaiming my time, again I would like to
thank the chairman for his commitment to our Nation's veterans. I
believe that he and I recognize that, just as it is critical to support
our troops in the midst of combat, we must also ensure that our
veterans receive the highest quality of care and service upon their
return home.
I would thank him again, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
housing for persons with disabilities
For amendments to capital advance contracts for supportive
housing for persons with disabilities, as authorized by
section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable
Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013), for project rental assistance
for supportive housing for persons with disabilities under
section 811(d)(2) of such Act and for project assistance
contracts pursuant to section 202(h) of the Housing Act of
1959 (Public Law 86-372; 73 Stat. 667), including amendments
to contracts for such assistance and renewal of expiring
contracts for such assistance for up to a 1-year term, for
project rental assistance to State housing finance agencies
and other appropriate entities as authorized under section
811(b)(3) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Housing Act, and
for supportive services associated with the housing for
persons with disabilities as authorized by section 811(b)(1)
of such Act, $126,000,000 to remain available until September
30, 2017: Provided, That amounts made available under this
heading shall be available for Real Estate Assessment Center
inspections and inspection-related activities associated with
section 811 Projects: Provided further, That, notwithstanding
any other provision of law, upon the request of the Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development, project funds that are held
in residual receipts accounts for any project subject to a
section 811 project rental assistance contract and that upon
termination of such contract are in excess of an amount to be
determined by the Secretary shall be remitted to the
Department and deposited in this account, to be available
until expended: Provided further, That amounts deposited in
this account pursuant to the previous proviso shall be
available in addition to the amounts otherwise provided by
this heading for the purposes authorized under this heading:
Provided further, That unobligated balances, including
recaptures and carryover, remaining from funds transferred to
or appropriated under this heading may be used for the
current purposes authorized under this heading
notwithstanding the purposes for which such funds originally
were appropriated.
housing counseling assistance
For contracts, grants, and other assistance excluding
loans, as authorized under section 106 of the Housing and
Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, $35,000,000,
including up to $4,500,000 for administrative contract
services, to remain available until September 30, 2014:
Provided, That grants made available from amounts provided
under this heading shall be awarded within 120 days of
enactment of this Act: Provided further, That funds shall be
used for providing counseling and advice to tenants and
homeowners, both current and prospective, with respect to
property maintenance, financial management/literacy, and such
other matters as may be appropriate to assist them in
improving their housing conditions, meeting their financial
needs, and fulfilling the responsibilities of tenancy or
homeownership; for program administration; and for housing
counselor training.
other assisted housing programs
rental housing assistance
For amendments to contracts under section 101 of the
Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 (12 U.S.C. 1701s)
and section 236(f)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
1715z-1) in State-aided, noninsured rental housing projects,
$21,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided,
That such amount, together with unobligated balances from
recaptured amounts appropriated prior to fiscal year 2006
from terminated contracts under such sections of law, and any
unobligated balances, including recaptures and carryover,
remaining from funds appropriated under this heading after
fiscal year 2005, shall also be available for extensions of
up to one year for expiring contracts under such sections of
law.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Broun of Georgia
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment at the
desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 102, line 9, after the dollar amount, insert ``reduced
by $5,000,000''.
Page 150, line 8, after the dollar amount, insert
``increased by $5,000,000''.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chairman, this amendment would simply
reduce the $19.7 million increase proposed for the rental housing
assistance program under HUD by $5 million, putting this amount in the
spending reduction account.
As before, this would not be a cut to this program. It wouldn't even
bring funding back to the 2013 levels like many amendments that I've
offered today would have done. Instead, it would allow for a $14.7
million increase to this program instead of the $19.7 million increase.
I'm not arguing the merits of this program, Madam Chairman; but as
I've said before, and I'll say it again, this country is broke.
I commend the subcommittee and the chairman, my friend, Mr. Latham,
for making some tough choices in this bill. He's done a great job in
doing so, and I applaud his efforts. But if we want to solve our
current fiscal crisis, we must continue to make very careful decisions.
This is a small reduction, and it will just help in the process of
getting our government to living within its means.
I urge support of my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairwoman, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Iowa is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairwoman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's
amendment.
The gentleman said there's a big difference as far as an increase in
funding in this account from last year. The fact of the matter is that
what was actually spent was not increased and will not be increased
this year. We recaptured a great deal of money from accounts previously
to fund our bill last year. So the funding level is actually the same
as what it was last year.
The bill funds the rental housing assistance at $21 million, which is
the amount with the recapture from last year that was spent, and this
amount is necessary to fund 18,000 existing long-term project-based
rental assistance contracts. This will ensure that these units remain
available for low-income families.
The bill funding levels are not arbitrary, Madam Chairwoman. We have
scrubbed these accounts. We've held hearings on them and made
recommendations on what must be funded. Again, although it appears a
sizeable increase, in fact, it is not because of the recapture we had
from last year.
I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment, and I yield back the balance
of my time
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last
word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
[[Page H5163]]
{time} 2145
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
This account renews long-term assistance contracts, and the number
varies from year to year. The amount needed to renew these contracts
depends on how many agreements HUD entered into years ago, not the
number we renewed last year. Reducing the funding in this account will
threaten the viability of these units if the funding is not preserved.
I oppose the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).
The amendment was rejected.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
rent supplement
(rescission)
Of the amounts recaptured from terminated contracts under
section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965
(12 U.S.C. 1701s) and section 236 of the National Housing Act
(12 U.S.C. 1715z-1) $3,500,000 are rescinded: Provided, That
no amounts may be rescinded from amounts that were designated
by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the
Concurrent Resolution on the Budget or the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended.
payment to manufactured housing fees trust fund
For necessary expenses as authorized by the National
Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of
1974 (42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.), up to $6,530,000, to remain
available until expended, to be derived from the Manufactured
Housing Fees Trust Fund: Provided, That not to exceed the
total amount appropriated under this heading shall be
available from the general fund of the Treasury to the extent
necessary to incur obligations and make expenditures pending
the receipt of collections to the Fund pursuant to section
620 of such Act: Provided further, That the amount made
available under this heading from the general fund shall be
reduced as such collections are received during fiscal year
2014 so as to result in a final fiscal year 2014
appropriation from the general fund estimated at zero and
fees pursuant to such section 620 shall be modified as
necessary to ensure such a final fiscal year 2014
appropriation: Provided further, That for the dispute
resolution and installation programs, the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development may assess and collect fees
from any program participant: Provided further, That such
collections shall be deposited into the Fund, and the
Secretary, as provided herein, may use such collections, as
well as fees collected under section 620, for necessary
expenses of such Act: Provided further, That, notwithstanding
the requirements of section 620 of such Act, the Secretary
may carry out responsibilities of the Secretary under such
Act through the use of approved service providers that are
paid directly by the recipients of their services.
Federal Housing Administration
mutual mortgage insurance program account
New commitments to guarantee single family loans insured
under the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund shall not exceed
$400,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30,
2015: Provided, That during fiscal year 2014, obligations to
make direct loans to carry out the purposes of section 204(g)
of the National Housing Act, as amended, shall not exceed
$20,000,000: Provided further, That the foregoing amount in
the previous proviso shall be for loans to nonprofit and
governmental entities in connection with sales of single
family real properties owned by the Secretary and formerly
insured under the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund. For
administrative contract expenses of the Federal Housing
Administration, $127,000,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2015: Provided further, That to the extent
guaranteed loan commitments exceed $200,000,000,000 on or
before April 1, 2013, an additional $1,400 for administrative
contract expenses shall be available for each $1,000,000 in
additional guaranteed loan commitments (including a pro rata
amount for any amount below $1,000,000), but in no case shall
funds made available by this proviso exceed $30,000,000.
general and special risk program account
New commitments to guarantee loans insured under the
General and Special Risk Insurance Funds, as authorized by
sections 238 and 519 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
1715z-3 and 1735c), shall not exceed $30,000,000,000 in total
loan principal, any part of which is to be guaranteed, to
remain available until September 30, 2015: Provided, That
during fiscal year 2014, gross obligations for the principal
amount of direct loans, as authorized by sections 204(g),
207(l), 238, and 519(a) of the National Housing Act, shall
not exceed $20,000,000, which shall be for loans to nonprofit
and governmental entities in connection with the sale of
single family real properties owned by the Secretary and
formerly insured under such Act.
Government National Mortgage Association
guarantees of mortgage-backed securities loan guarantee program account
New commitments to issue guarantees to carry out the
purposes of section 306 of the National Housing Act, as
amended (12 U.S.C. 1721(g)), shall not exceed
$500,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30,
2015: Provided, That $19,000,000 shall be available for
necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of Government
National Mortgage Association: Provided further, That to the
extent that guaranteed loan commitments will and do exceed
$155,000,000,000 on or before April 1, 2014, an additional
$100 for necessary salaries and expenses shall be available
until expended for each $1,000,000 in additional guaranteed
loan commitments (including a pro rata amount for any amount
below $1,000,000), but in no case shall funds made available
by this proviso exceed $3,000,000: Provided further, That
receipts from Commitment and Multiclass fees collected
pursuant to title III of the National Housing Act, as
amended, shall be credited as offsetting collections to this
account.
Policy Development and Research
research and technology
For contracts, grants, and necessary expenses of programs
of research and studies relating to housing and urban
problems, not otherwise provided for, as authorized by title
V of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (12 U.S.C.
1701z-1 et seq.), including carrying out the functions of the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under section
1(a)(1)(i) of Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1968, $21,000,000,
to remain available until September 30, 2015: Provided, That
with respect to amounts made available under this heading,
notwithstanding section 204 of this title, the Secretary may
enter into cooperative agreements funded with philanthropic
entities, other Federal agencies, or State or local
governments and their agencies for research projects:
Provided further, That with respect to the previous proviso,
such partners to the cooperative agreements must contribute
at least a 50 percent match toward the cost of the project:
Provided further, That for non-competitive agreements entered
into in accordance with the previous two provisos, the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall comply with
section 2(b) of the Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-282, 31 U.S.C. note)
in lieu of compliance with section 102(a)(4)(C) with respect
to documentation of award decisions.
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
fair housing activities
For contracts, grants, and other assistance, not otherwise
provided for, as authorized by title VIII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1968, as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of
1988, and section 561 of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1987, as amended, $55,847,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2015: Provided, That,
notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, the Secretary may assess and
collect fees to cover the costs of the Fair Housing Training
Academy, and may use such funds to provide such training:
Provided further, That no funds made available under this
heading shall be used to lobby the executive or legislative
branches of the Federal Government in connection with a
specific contract, grant or loan: Provided further, That, of
the funds made available under this heading, $300,000 shall
be available to the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development for the creation and promotion of translated
materials and other programs that support the assistance of
persons with limited English proficiency in utilizing the
services provided by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Al Green of Texas
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 108, line 10, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $12,500,000)''.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chair, I reserve a point of order on the
gentleman's amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. A point of order is reserved.
The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Chair, I thank the ranking member and I
thank the chair. I would like to, if I may, compliment you and thank
you for what you did with the HUD-VASH vouchers, the $75 million which
is what was requested. I did join in that request, serving on Financial
Services, and we share some jurisdiction with reference to the VASH
vouchers. So I am appreciative, Mr. Chairman and Mr. Ranking Member,
for what was done. And, of course, I respect anyone who wants to
increase the amount that we accord our veterans. They have gone to
distant places; and many times when they return, they don't return home
to
[[Page H5164]]
circumstances that we enjoy, and I'm eager to do all that I can to make
sure that they have a place to call home when they return.
With reference to this amendment, Mr. Chairman and Mr. Ranking
Member, this amendment deals with the Fair Housing Initiative Program
and the Fair Housing Assistance Program. The Fair Housing Assistance
Program was started in 1968, the Fair Housing Initiatives Program in
1987. They have enjoyed bipartisan support here in Congress, and the
purpose of these two programs happens to be that of elimination of
invidious discrimination.
Invidious discrimination does not know the boundaries that many of us
assume it is limited to. We find right now that a good many of our
persons who have gone to war and who are returning home have been
injured. A good many of them don't return the way they left. And the
truth be told, the greatest number of complaints that we have in this
area of discrimination are related to persons who have disabilities.
Evidence shows us we had 27,092 complaints in 2011 and 28,519
complaints in 2012. That's a 1,427 complaint increase; and disability
are the greatest percentage of these complaints, with 47.1 to 55.6
percent going against persons who have disabilities.
This piece of legislation seeks to make sure that all persons--this
would include our veterans who may have disabilities--have a place to
call home and that they are not discriminated against. I know
``discrimination'' is not a word that we like to use. I, quite frankly,
don't find favor with the word, but for making our point, we have to
mention it because there are people who are suffering from it.
I would hope that we can restore FHIP to the amount that was in the
original bill from the Senate, and FHAP as well. This is the Fair
Housing Initiatives Program, FHIP, and the Fair Housing Assistance
Program, FHAP, as they are commonly called. The bill reduces FHIP to
$32.2 million, and this amendment restores it to $44.1 million, which
is an $11.9 million increase. The bill reduces the Fair Housing
Assistance Program to $23.4 million, and the amendment restores it to
$24 million. That's a $600,000 increase, making a total of a $12.5
million increase.
It is my hope that we can find a way to accord these programs the
losses they are suffering because the losses go beyond just the
numbers. They impact people, and a good many of these people are our
veterans.
With that, I ask the chairman if he would engage me in a colloquy.
Mr. Chairman, my assumption is that you have a point of order on this
piece of legislation, the amendment, and I understand why; but I wanted
to make sure that I emphasized the need to protect all persons, and I
wanted to focus on our veterans tonight. My hope is that as we move
forward, you and I and the ranking member can work together so that we
can make sure that veterans are not the victims of invidious
discrimination.
Mr. LATHAM. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Iowa.
Mr. LATHAM. I thank the gentleman for his most sincere concern for
these folks who need help, and I would pledge, if possible, if we can
find ways. But under our allocation, you understand we have a very
difficult situation, so I would have to insist on the point of order;
but I appreciate the gentleman's efforts, and I look forward to working
with him.
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. With that, Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my
amendment. I hope that we can find that common ground that you
mentioned, and I look forward to working with the ranking member who
has always done whatever he can to help our veterans as well.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the amendment is withdrawn.
There was no objection.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Grayson
Mr. GRAYSON. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 108, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $150,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Florida is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. GRAYSON. Madam Chair, this is an amendment that relates to fair
housing programs, and specifically the part of the program regarding
the Limited English Proficiency Initiative.
This is a small program that is capped in the bill presently at
$300,000. The President had asked that this be increased to $500,000.
We now offer an amendment that would increase it to $450,000, still
less than what the President offered, but nowhere near what a program
like this actually justifies. I want to point out we're not taking away
from any other programs. We are just slightly lifting the cap on this
particular program to allow the purpose of this program to be carried
out.
This initiative is vital to ensuring that individuals who are not
proficient in English are aware of their rights, able to understand the
terms of leases and other housing-related documents, and able to
receive important announcements that affect the health and safety of
their households.
In addition, the initiative educates the HUD-assisted housing
providers on their responsibilities under Federal law and HUD
regulations to ensure that their housing programs and activities are
fully accessible to all, regardless of national origin or English
proficiency.
Finally, the initiative saves HUD staff time as it helps HUD to more
efficiently communicate with and, thereby, serve the needs of people
who are not proficient in English.
Madam Chair, I have heard from time to time that the folks on the
other side of the aisle are looking for some way to reach out to the
Hispanic community and make their party more appealing to the Hispanic
community here in America. We have to realize that there are over 40
million Americans who do not speak English as their first language.
This is a tiny program that is meant to allow for people who do not
have English proficiency to have some of the same benefits and benefit
from the same programs as those who do. Certainly it would be a very
small and minor concession on the part of the folks on the other side
of the aisle to give this little nod to the Hispanic community and show
their concern that we have equal protection under the law for all,
regardless of whether they are English speaking or Spanish speaking or
speak some other language.
Since Congress initiated this program in fiscal year 2008, the
Department has used this funding to translate vital HUD documents, such
as model leases, fair housing complaint forms, statements of residents'
rights and responsibilities, information on how to become a first-time
homeowner, how to avoid loan fraud and foreclosure, and fair housing
information for disaster housing providers and survivors.
This request will not only fund translation of HUD documents and
printing, but also oral interpretation services at HUD events, oral
interpretation for persons seeking access to HUD services by telephone,
acquisition of technology that conducts simultaneous oral translation,
marketing of HUD's language access services to populations that need
them, and public education on the availability of and the right to
obtain information regarding HUD-funded services in multiple languages.
Given the tiny amount of money that's involved here, this program has
been extraordinarily effective. In the last year for which we have
statistics, almost 30,000 people benefited from a program that cost the
Federal Government only $300,000. This program has been incredibly cost
effective. It is very much needed by Hispanics throughout America and
other minorities who do not have English as their first language. I ask
the majority, my friends across the aisle, to consider the value of
this program to the Hispanic community and everyone else in America.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Iowa is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. LATHAM. I rise in opposition to this amendment.
This account that he is taking the money from is already stretched
extremely thin. His amendment seeks to take funds away from the
investigations and adjudication for fair housing claims. So the exact
people that he's talking about being concerned about, he is going to
take away enforcement for fair housing. I don't understand the trade-
off.
[[Page H5165]]
I think that fair housing is extraordinarily important, and we have
$300,000 in this account already; and to rob an account that enforces
the law to make housing available so there is no discrimination,
whether it be Hispanic or any nationality in their housing, you don't
want to have cases where people, because of race, are not allowed in
their housing.
So I think it is ill thought out, something that certainly when
you're taking away enforcement, fair housing is simply the wrong
account. Again, we have $300,000 in this account for this purpose.
Madam Chair, I ask for a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. I rise in support of the gentleman's
amendment. It is his and my effort to help the majority with Republican
outreach to Hispanic voters. This amendment would increase by $150,000
the amount of funding HUD shall spend on translating documents for
people who are not proficient English speakers.
Because of our record to help the outreach program, we support this
amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Grayson).
The amendment was agreed to.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes
lead hazard reduction
For the Lead Hazard Reduction Program, as authorized by
section 1011 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard
Reduction Act of 1992, $50,000,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2015: Provided, That up to $5,000,000 of that
amount shall be for the Healthy Homes Initiative, pursuant to
sections 501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act
of 1970 that shall include research, studies, testing, and
demonstration efforts, including education and outreach
concerning lead-based paint poisoning and other housing-
related diseases and hazards: Provided further, That for
purposes of environmental review, pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and
other provisions of the law that further the purposes of such
Act, a grant under the Healthy Homes Initiative or the Lead
Technical Studies program under this heading or under prior
appropriations Acts for such purposes under this heading,
shall be considered to be funds for a special project for
purposes of section 305(c) of the Multifamily Housing
Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994: Provided further,
That amounts made available under this heading in this or
prior appropriations Acts, and that still remain available,
may be used for any purpose under this heading
notwithstanding the purpose for which such amounts were
appropriated if a program competition is undersubscribed and
there are other program competitions under this heading that
are oversubscribed.
information technology fund
For the development of, modifications to, and
infrastructure for Department-wide and program-specific
information technology systems, for the continuing operation
and maintenance of both Department-wide and program-specific
information systems, and for program-related maintenance
activities, $100,000,000, to remain available until September
30, 2015: Provided, That up to $25,000,000 may be used for
Development Modernization and Enhancement: Provided further,
That any amounts transferred to this Fund under this Act
shall remain available until expended: Provided further, That
not more than 25 percent of the funds made available under
this heading for Development, Modernization and Enhancement,
including development and deployment of a Next Generation
Management System and development and deployment of
modernized Federal Housing Administration systems may be
obligated until the Secretary submits to the Committees on
Appropriations and the Comptroller General of the United
States a plan for expenditure that--(A) provides for all
information technology investments: (i) the cost and schedule
baselines with explanations for each associated variance,
(ii) the status of functional and performance capabilities
delivered or planned to be delivered, and (iii) mitigation
strategies to address identified risks; (B) outlines
activities to ensure strategic, consistent, and effective
application of information technology management controls:
(i) enterprise architecture, (ii) project management, (iii)
investment management, and (iv) human capital management.
office of inspector general
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of
Inspector General in carrying out the Inspector General Act
of 1978, as amended, $124,000,000: Provided, That the
Inspector General shall have independent authority over all
personnel issues within this office.
General Provisions--Department of Housing and Urban Development
Sec. 201. Fifty percent of the amounts of budget
authority, or in lieu thereof 50 percent of the cash amounts
associated with such budget authority, that are recaptured
from projects described in section 1012(a) of the Stewart B.
McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1988 (42
U.S.C. 1437 note) shall be cancelled or in the case of cash,
shall be remitted to the Treasury, and such amounts of budget
authority or cash recaptured and not cancelled or remitted to
the Treasury shall be used by State housing finance agencies
or local governments or local housing agencies with projects
approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
for which settlement occurred after January 1, 1992, in
accordance with such section. Notwithstanding the previous
sentence, the Secretary may award up to 15 percent of the
budget authority or cash recaptured and not cancelled or
remitted to the Treasury to provide project owners with
incentives to refinance their project at a lower interest
rate.
Sec. 202. None of the amounts made available under this
Act may be used during fiscal year 2014 to investigate or
prosecute under the Fair Housing Act any otherwise lawful
activity engaged in by one or more persons, including the
filing or maintaining of a nonfrivolous legal action, that is
engaged in solely for the purpose of achieving or preventing
action by a Government official or entity, or a court of
competent jurisdiction.
Sec. 203. Sections 203 and 209 of division C of Public Law
112-55 (125 Stat. 693-694) shall apply during fiscal year
2014 as if such sections were included in this title, except
that during such fiscal year such sections shall be applied
by substituting ``fiscal year 2014'' for ``fiscal year 2011''
and ``fiscal year 2012'', each place such terms appear.
Sec. 204. Except as explicitly provided in law, any grant,
cooperative agreement or other assistance made pursuant to
title II of this Act shall be made on a competitive basis and
in accordance with section 102 of the Department of Housing
and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 3545).
Sec. 205. Funds of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development subject to the Government Corporation Control Act
or section 402 of the Housing Act of 1950 shall be available,
without regard to the limitations on administrative expenses,
for legal services on a contract or fee basis, and for
utilizing and making payment for services and facilities of
the Federal National Mortgage Association, Government
National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation, Federal Financing Bank, Federal Reserve banks or
any member thereof, Federal Home Loan banks, and any insured
bank within the meaning of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation Act, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1811-1).
Sec. 206. Unless otherwise provided for in this Act or
through a reprogramming of funds, no part of any
appropriation for the Department of Housing and Urban
Development shall be available for any program, project or
activity in excess of amounts set forth in the budget
estimates submitted to Congress.
Sec. 207. Corporations and agencies of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development which are subject to the
Government Corporation Control Act are hereby authorized to
make such expenditures, within the limits of funds and
borrowing authority available to each such corporation or
agency and in accordance with law, and to make such contracts
and commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as
provided by section 104 of such Act as may be necessary in
carrying out the programs set forth in the budget for 2014
for such corporation or agency except as hereinafter
provided: Provided, That collections of these corporations
and agencies may be used for new loan or mortgage purchase
commitments only to the extent expressly provided for in this
Act (unless such loans are in support of other forms of
assistance provided for in this or prior appropriations
Acts), except that this proviso shall not apply to the
mortgage insurance or guaranty operations of these
corporations, or where loans or mortgage purchases are
necessary to protect the financial interest of the United
States Government.
Sec. 208. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
shall provide quarterly reports to the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations regarding all uncommitted,
unobligated, recaptured and excess funds in each program and
activity within the jurisdiction of the Department and shall
submit additional, updated budget information to these
Committees upon request.
Sec. 209. The President's formal budget request for fiscal
year 2015, as well as the Department of Housing and Urban
Development's congressional budget justifications to be
submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate, shall use the identical
account and sub-account structure provided under this Act.
Sec. 210. A public housing agency or such other entity
that administers Federal housing assistance for the Housing
Authority of the county of Los Angeles, California, the
States of Alaska, Iowa, and Mississippi shall not be required
to include a resident of public housing or a recipient of
assistance provided under section 8 of the United States
[[Page H5166]]
Housing Act of 1937 on the board of directors or a similar
governing board of such agency or entity as required under
section (2)(b) of such Act. Each public housing agency or
other entity that administers Federal housing assistance
under section 8 for the Housing Authority of the county of
Los Angeles, California and the States of Alaska, Iowa and
Mississippi that chooses not to include a resident of public
housing or a recipient of section 8 assistance on the board
of directors or a similar governing board shall establish an
advisory board of not less than six residents of public
housing or recipients of section 8 assistance to provide
advice and comment to the public housing agency or other
administering entity on issues related to public housing and
section 8. Such advisory board shall meet not less than
quarterly.
Sec. 211. No funds provided under this title may be used
for an audit of the Government National Mortgage Association
that makes applicable requirements under the Federal Credit
Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
Sec. 212. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
subject to the conditions listed in subsection (b), for
fiscal years 2014 and 2015, the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development may authorize the transfer of some or all
project-based assistance, debt and statutorily required low-
income and very low-income use restrictions, associated with
one or more multifamily housing project to another
multifamily housing project or projects.
(b) Phased Transfers.--Transfers of project-based
assistance under this section may be done in phases to
accommodate the financing and other requirements related to
rehabilitating or constructing the project or projects to
which the assistance is transferred, to ensure that such
project or projects meet the standards under section (c).
(c) The transfer authorized in subsection (a) is subject to
the following conditions:
(1) Number and bedroom size of units.--
(A) For occupied units in the transferring project: the
number of low-income and very low-income units and the
configuration (i.e. bedroom size) provided by the
transferring project shall be no less than when transferred
to the receiving project or projects and the net dollar
amount of Federal assistance provided by the transferring
project shall remain the same in the receiving project or
projects.
(B) For unoccupied units in the transferring project: the
Secretary may authorize a reduction in the number of dwelling
units in the receiving project or projects to allow for a
reconfiguration of bedroom sizes to meet current market
demands, as determined by the Secretary and provided there is
no increase in the project-based section 8 budget authority.
(2) The net dollar amount of Federal assistance provided to
the transferring project shall remain the same as the
receiving project or projects.
(3) The transferring project shall, as determined by the
Secretary, be either physically obsolete or economically
nonviable.
(4) The receiving project or projects shall meet or exceed
applicable physical standards established by the Secretary.
(5) The owner or mortgagor of the transferring project
shall notify and consult with the tenants residing in the
transferring project and provide a certification of approval
by all appropriate local governmental officials.
(6) The tenants of the transferring project who remain
eligible for assistance to be provided by the receiving
project or projects shall not be required to vacate their
units in the transferring project or projects until new units
in the receiving project are available for occupancy.
(7) The Secretary determines that this transfer is in the
best interest of the tenants.
(8) If either the transferring project or the receiving
project or projects meets the condition specified in
subsection (d)(2)(A), any lien on the receiving project
resulting from additional financing obtained by the owner
shall be subordinate to any FHA-insured mortgage lien
transferred to, or placed on, such project by the Secretary,
except that the Secretary may waive this requirement upon
determination that such a waiver is necessary to facilitate
the financing of acquisition, construction, and/or
rehabilitation of the receiving project or projects.
(9) If the transferring project meets the requirements of
subsection (c)(2)(E), the owner or mortgagor of the receiving
project or projects shall execute and record either a
continuation of the existing use agreement or a new use
agreement for the project where, in either case, any use
restrictions in such agreement are of no lesser duration than
the existing use restrictions.
(10) The transfer does not increase the cost (as defined in
section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as
amended) of any FHA-insured mortgage, except to the extent
that appropriations are provided in advance for the amount of
any such increased cost.
(d) For purposes of this section--
(1) the terms ``low-income'' and ``very low-income'' shall
have the meanings provided by the statute and/or regulations
governing the program under which the project is insured or
assisted;
(2) the term ``multifamily housing project'' means housing
that meets one of the following conditions--
(A) housing that is subject to a mortgage insured under the
National Housing Act;
(B) housing that has project-based assistance attached to
the structure including projects undergoing mark to market
debt restructuring under the Multifamily Assisted Housing
Reform and Affordability Housing Act;
(C) housing that is assisted under section 202 of the
Housing Act of 1959 as amended by section 801 of the
Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act;
(D) housing that is assisted under section 202 of the
Housing Act of 1959, as such section existed before the
enactment of the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable
Housing Act;
(E) housing that is assisted under section 811 of the
Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act; or
(F) housing or vacant land that is subject to a use
agreement;
(3) the term ``project-based assistance'' means--
(A) assistance provided under section 8(b) of the United
States Housing Act of 1937;
(B) assistance for housing constructed or substantially
rehabilitated pursuant to assistance provided under section
8(b)(2) of such Act (as such section existed immediately
before October 1, 1983);
(C) rent supplement payments under section 101 of the
Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965;
(D) interest reduction payments under section 236 and/or
additional assistance payments under section 236(f)(2) of the
National Housing Act;
(E) assistance payments made under section 202(c)(2) of the
Housing Act of 1959; and
(F) assistance payments made under section 811(d)(2) of the
Housing Act of 1959;
(4) the term ``receiving project or projects'' means the
multifamily housing project or projects to which some or all
of the project-based assistance, debt, and statutorily
required use low-income and very low-income restrictions are
to be transferred;
(5) the term ``transferring project'' means the multifamily
housing project which is transferring some or all of the
project-based assistance, debt and the statutorily required
low-income and very low-income use restrictions to the
receiving project or projects; and
(6) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development.
(e) The Secretary shall publish by notice in the Federal
Register the terms and conditions, including criteria for HUD
approval, of transfers pursuant to this section no later than
30 days before the effective date of such notice.
Sec. 213. (a) No assistance shall be provided under section
8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f)
to any individual who--
(1) is enrolled as a student at an institution of higher
education (as defined under section 102 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002));
(2) is under 24 years of age;
(3) is not a veteran;
(4) is unmarried;
(5) does not have a dependent child;
(6) is not a person with disabilities, as such term is
defined in section 3(b)(3)(E) of the United States Housing
Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(3)(E)) and was not receiving
assistance under such section 8 as of November 30, 2005; and
(7) is not otherwise individually eligible, or has parents
who, individually or jointly, are not eligible, to receive
assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act
of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f).
(b) For purposes of determining the eligibility of a person
to receive assistance under section 8 of the United States
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f), any financial
assistance (in excess of amounts received for tuition and any
other required fees and charges) that an individual receives
under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et
seq.), from private sources, or an institution of higher
education (as defined under the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1002)), shall be considered income to that
individual, except for a person over the age of 23 with
dependent children.
Sec. 214. The funds made available for Native Alaskans
under the heading ``Native American Housing Block Grants'' in
title II of this Act shall be allocated to the same Native
Alaskan housing block grant recipients that received funds in
fiscal year 2005.
Sec. 215. Notwithstanding the limitation in the first
sentence of section 255(g) of the National Housing Act (12
U.S.C. 1725z-20(g)), the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development may, until September 30, 2014, insure and enter
into commitments to insure mortgages under such section 255.
Sec. 216. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in
fiscal year 2014, in managing and disposing of any
multifamily property that is owned or has a mortgage held by
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and during
the process of foreclosure on any property with a contract
for rental assistance payments under section 8 of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 or other Federal programs, the
Secretary shall maintain any rental assistance payments under
section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 and other
programs that are attached to any dwelling units in the
property. To the extent the Secretary determines, in
consultation with the tenants and the local government, that
such a multifamily property owned or held by the Secretary is
not feasible for continued rental assistance payments under
such section 8 or other programs, based on consideration of
(1) the costs of rehabilitating and operating the property
and all available Federal, State, and local resources,
including rent adjustments under
[[Page H5167]]
section 524 of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and
Affordability Act of 1997 (``MAHRAA'') and (2) environmental
conditions that cannot be remedied in a cost-effective
fashion, the Secretary may, in consultation with the tenants
of that property, contract for project-based rental
assistance payments with an owner or owners of other existing
housing properties, or provide other rental assistance. The
Secretary shall also take appropriate steps to ensure that
project-based contracts remain in effect prior to
foreclosure, subject to the exercise of contractual abatement
remedies to assist relocation of tenants for imminent major
threats to health and safety after written notice to and
informed consent of the affected tenants and use of other
available remedies, such as partial abatements or
receivership. After disposition of any multifamily property
described under this section, the contract and allowable rent
levels on such properties shall be subject to the
requirements under section 524 of MAHRAA.
Sec. 217. During fiscal year 2014, in the provision of
rental assistance under section 8(o) of the United States
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) in connection with a
program to demonstrate the economy and effectiveness of
providing such assistance for use in assisted living
facilities that is carried out in the counties of the State
of Michigan notwithstanding paragraphs (3) and (18)(B)(iii)
of such section 8(o), a family residing in an assisted living
facility in any such county, on behalf of which a public
housing agency provides assistance pursuant to section
8(o)(18) of such Act, may be required, at the time the family
initially receives such assistance, to pay rent in an amount
exceeding 40 percent of the monthly adjusted income of the
family by such a percentage or amount as the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development determines to be appropriate.
Sec. 218. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
recipient of a grant under section 202b of the Housing Act of
1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q) after December 26, 2000, in accordance
with the unnumbered paragraph at the end of section 202(b) of
such Act, may, at its option, establish a single-asset
nonprofit entity to own the project and may lend the grant
funds to such entity, which may be a private nonprofit
organization described in section 831 of the American
Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000.
Sec. 219. The commitment authority funded by fees as
provided under the heading ``Community Development Loan
Guarantees Program Account'' may be used to guarantee, or
make commitments to guarantee, notes, or other obligations
issued by any State on behalf of non-entitlement communities
in the State in accordance with the requirements of section
108 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974:
Provided, That any State receiving such a guarantee or
commitment shall distribute all funds subject to such
guarantee to the units of general local government in non-
entitlement areas that received the commitment.
Sec. 220. Public housing agencies that own and operate 400
or fewer public housing units may elect to be exempt from any
asset management requirement imposed by the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development in connection with the
operating fund rule: Provided, That an agency seeking a
discontinuance of a reduction of subsidy under the operating
fund formula shall not be exempt from asset management
requirements.
Sec. 221. With respect to the use of amounts provided in
this Act and in future Acts for the operation, capital
improvement and management of public housing as authorized by
sections 9(d) and 9(e) of the United States Housing Act of
1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g(d) and (e)), the Secretary shall not
impose any requirement or guideline relating to asset
management that restricts or limits in any way the use of
capital funds for central office costs pursuant to section
9(g)(1) or 9(g)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937
(42 U.S.C. 1437g(g)(1), (2)): Provided, That a public housing
agency may not use capital funds authorized under section
9(d) for activities that are eligible under section 9(e) for
assistance with amounts from the operating fund in excess of
the amounts permitted under section 9(g)(1) or 9(g)(2).
Sec. 222. No official or employee of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development shall be designated as an
allotment holder unless the Office of the Chief Financial
Officer has determined that such allotment holder has
implemented an adequate system of funds control and has
received training in funds control procedures and directives.
The Chief Financial Officer shall ensure that there is a
trained allotment holder for each HUD sub-office under the
accounts ``Executive Offices'' and ``Administrative Support
Offices,'' as well as each account receiving appropriations
for ``Program Office Salaries and Expenses'' within the
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Sec. 223. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
shall report annually to the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations on the status of all section 8 project-based
housing, including the number of all project-based units by
region as well as an analysis of all federally subsidized
housing being refinanced under the Mark-to-Market program.
The Secretary shall in the report identify all existing units
maintained by region as section 8 project-based units and all
project-based units that have opted out of section 8 or have
otherwise been eliminated as section 8 project-based units.
The Secretary shall identify in detail and by project all the
efforts made by the Department to preserve all section 8
project-based housing units and all the reasons for any units
which opted out or otherwise were lost as section 8 project-
based units. Such analysis shall include a review of the
impact of the loss of any subsidized units in that housing
marketplace, such as the impact of cost and the loss of
available subsidized, low-income housing in areas with scarce
housing resources for low-income families.
Sec. 224. The Secretary of the Department of Housing and
Urban Development shall, for fiscal year 2014 and subsequent
fiscal years, notify the public through the Federal Register
and other means, as determined appropriate, of the issuance
of a notice of the availability of assistance or notice of
funding availability (NOFA) for any program or discretionary
fund administered by the Secretary that is to be
competitively awarded. Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, for fiscal year 2014 and subsequent fiscal years, the
Secretary may make the NOFA available only on the Internet at
the appropriate Government Web site or through other
electronic media, as determined by the Secretary.
Sec. 225. Payment of attorney fees in program-related
litigation must be paid from individual program office
personnel benefits and compensation funding. The annual
budget submission for program office personnel benefit and
compensation funding must include program-related litigation
costs for attorney fees as a separate line item request.
Sec. 226. Except for funds provided for claims and
indemnities, the Secretary of the Department of Housing and
Urban Development is authorized to transfer up to 5 percent
or $5,000,000, whichever is less, of the funds appropriated
for any office funded under the headings ``Management and
Administration'' and ``Program Office Salaries and
Expenses'', to any other office funded under such headings:
Provided, That no appropriation for any office funded under
such headings shall be increased or decreased by more than 5
percent or $5,000,000, whichever is less, without prior
written approval from the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations.
Sec. 227. The Disaster Housing Assistance Programs,
administered by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, shall be considered a ``program of the
Department of Housing and Urban Development'' under section
904 of the McKinney Act for the purpose of income
verifications and matching.
Sec. 228. None of the funds made available by this Act, or
any other Act, for purposes authorized under section 8 (only
with respect to the tenant-based rental assistance program)
and section 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) may be used by any public housing agency
for any amount of salary, for the chief executive officer of
which, or any other official or employee of which, that
exceeds the annual rate of basic pay payable for a position
at level IV of the Executive Schedule at any time during any
public housing agency fiscal year 2014.
Sec. 229. Title II of Division K of Public Law 110-161 is
amended by striking the entire item relating to ``Flexible
Subsidy Fund''.
Sec. 230. Paragraph (1) of section 242(i) of the National
Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-7(i)(1)) is amended by striking
``July 31, 2011'' and inserting ``July 31, 2016''.
Sec. 231. Subsection (d) of section 184 of the Housing and
Community Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-13a(d)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(d) Guarantee Fee.--The Secretary shall establish and
collect, at the time of issuance of the guarantee, a fee for
the guarantee of loans under this section, in an amount not
exceeding 3 percent of the principal obligation of the loan.
The Secretary may also establish and collect annual premium
payments in an amount not exceeding 1 percent of the
remaining guaranteed balance (excluding the portion of the
remaining balance attributable to the fee collected at the
time of issuance of the guarantee). The Secretary shall
establish the amount of the fees and premiums by publishing a
notice in the Federal Register. The Secretary shall deposit
any fees and premiums collected under this subsection in the
Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund established under
subsection (i).''.
Sec. 232. Notwithstanding Section 24(o) of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437v(o)), amounts made
available in prior appropriations Acts under the heading
``Revitalization of Severely Distressed Public Housing (HOPE
VI)'' may continue to be provided as assistance pursuant to
such section 24.
Sec. 233. The proviso under the ``Community Development
Fund'' heading in Public Laws 109-148, 109-234, 110-252, and
110-329 which requires the Secretary to establish procedures
to prevent duplication of benefits and to report to the
Committees on Appropriations on all steps to prevent fraud
and abuse is amended by striking ``quarterly'' and inserting
``annually''.
Sec. 234. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to require or enforce the Green Physical Needs
Assessment (GPNA).
Sec. 235. None of the funds in this Act may be available
for the doctoral dissertation research grant program at the
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
This title may be cited as the ``Department of Housing and
Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2014''.
[[Page H5168]]
TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES
Access Board
salaries and expenses
For expenses necessary for the Access Board, as authorized
by section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended,
$7,400,000: Provided, That, notwithstanding any other
provision of law, there may be credited to this appropriation
funds received for publications and training expenses.
federal housing finance agency
office of inspector general
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General
in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act
of 1978, $38,000,000, to remain available until September 30,
2015, to be derived from the Federal National Mortgage
Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the
Federal Home Loan Banks under section 1106 of the Housing and
Economic Recovery Act of 2008: Provided, That concurrent with
the President's budget request for fiscal year 2015, the
Inspector General shall submit to the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations a budget request for fiscal year
2015 in similar format and substance to those submitted by
executive agencies of the Federal Government.
Federal Maritime Commission
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Federal Maritime Commission
as authorized by section 201(d) of the Merchant Marine Act,
1936, as amended (46 U.S.C. 307), including services as
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; hire of passenger motor vehicles
as authorized by 31 U.S.C. 1343(b); and uniforms or
allowances therefore, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902,
$24,200,000: Provided, That not to exceed $2,000 shall be
available for official reception and representation expenses.
{time} 2200
Amendment Offered by Mr. Broun of Georgia
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 134, line 13, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $100,000)''.
Page 150, line 8, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $100,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chair, this amendment would reduce
funding in the bill for the Federal Maritime Commission's Salaries and
Expenses by $100,000, and transfer that same amount to the Spending
Reduction Account.
This amendment would have the effect of bringing the appropriations
for this purpose back to the current levels, what we have right now. I
offered a similar amendment to this bill last year, which would have
eliminated a proposed $900,000 increase to this same account.
Unfortunately, that amendment failed by a 172-249 vote, a pretty strong
margin.
So this year, I bring you a request to hold the line, to eliminate
this very small increase of $100,000, an amount which is less than many
bureaucrats here in Washington take home as their yearly salary.
Perhaps more than any of my amendments that I've offered tonight, I
hope that this one passes, Madam Chair, because if this amendment to
strike a $100,000 increase to Federal employee salaries fails, it means
that we are in serious, serious trouble when it comes to solving our
spending problem.
I urge my colleagues to prove me wrong and to support my amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Iowa is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chair, I'm not going to oppose this amendment. It
is an account that the maritime industry, with the concerns that we've
had and some of the incidents on cruise ships, it's an account that is
much needed. But with a very small reduction here, bringing it back to
last year's funding level, that would be acceptable to me and we would
accept the amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).
The amendment was agreed to.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
National Railroad Passenger Corporation Office of Inspector General
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General
for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation to carry out
the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as
amended, $25,300,000: Provided, That the Inspector General
shall have all necessary authority, in carrying out the
duties specified in the Inspector General Act, as amended (5
U.S.C. App. 3), to investigate allegations of fraud,
including false statements to the government (18 U.S.C.
1001), by any person or entity that is subject to regulation
by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation: Provided
further, That the Inspector General may enter into contracts
and other arrangements for audits, studies, analyses, and
other services with public agencies and with private persons,
subject to the applicable laws and regulations that govern
the obtaining of such services within the National Railroad
Passenger Corporation: Provided further, That the Inspector
General may select, appoint, and employ such officers and
employees as may be necessary for carrying out the functions,
powers, and duties of the Office of Inspector General,
subject to the applicable laws and regulations that govern
such selections, appointments, and employment within Amtrak:
Provided further, That concurrent with the President's budget
request for fiscal year 2015, the Inspector General shall
submit to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a
budget request for fiscal year 2015 in similar format and
substance to those submitted by executive agencies of the
Federal Government.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Broun of Georgia
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Page 134, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $4,800,000)''.
Page 150, line 8, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $4,800,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chair, I've got good news for my friends
from Arizona and from Iowa. This is the last amendment that I plan to
offer on this bill.
It would reduce the proposed funding for the Amtrak Office of
Inspector General's Salaries and Expenses by $4,800,000 and transfer
that same amount to the Spending Reduction Account.
Like many of the amendments that I've offered today, it would simply
remove a proposed increase, returning the final amendment back to
current spending levels.
The Amtrak IG's role is to root out waste, fraud and abuse within the
corporation. As I detailed during consideration of my earlier amendment
related to Amtrak, I am of the opinion that the IG still has a ways to
go in this regard.
Yet, the committee report includes an interesting statement which
appears to serve as a pat on the back for the OIG, and perhaps even as
a justification for this large proposed increase.
The line simply says: ``The Committee appreciates that the Amtrak OIG
submitted a separate budget request to the Committees on Appropriations
and directs it to do so in Fiscal Year 2015.''
Now, to my read, this means that simply because the OIG did his job,
it will receive nearly $5 million in extra Federal dollars for salaries
and expenses. I think that's preposterous.
Madam Chairman, I talked a lot about Amtrak's failings earlier, and
I'm not going to rehash the same arguments. I only ask that my
colleagues support my amendment. Let's hold the spending to the current
levels, and hold the line on wasteful spending. Let's live within our
means, and let's roll back this increase.
I encourage acceptance of my amendment, and I recommended an ``aye''
vote.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Iowa is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chair, I must rise in opposition to the gentleman's
amendment.
Madam Chair, as you know, one of the very important functions of this
committee is oversight, ensuring agencies under our purview are
efficiently and effectively managed.
This bill provides Amtrak, the OIG, with $25.3 million for oversight
studies and investigations into fraud, waste and abuse at Amtrak.
Through these investigations, the Amtrak OIG has helped improve the
economy, efficiency and effectiveness of Amtrak programs and
operations.
Amtrak OIG runs a program that has identified improper and
overpayments
[[Page H5169]]
to the tune of $85 million. Amtrak has collected some of this back,
which has saved the taxpayer money.
The bill's funding levels are not arbitrary, Madam Chair. We have
scrubbed these accounts. We have held hearings and made recommendations
on what must be funded.
{time} 2215
I think this is an extremely important function that we have so that
we can look at Amtrak. We're spending an awful lot of money with
Amtrak. We need to have a strong Office of Inspector General to keep
tabs on it. I think this is money well spent.
I would certainly urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia will
be postponed.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the
remainder of the bill through page 150, line 2 be considered as read,
printed in the Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman
from Iowa?
There was no objection.
The text of that portion of the bill is as follows:
National Transportation Safety Board
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the National Transportation
Safety Board, including hire of passenger motor vehicles and
aircraft; services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but at
rates for individuals not to exceed the per diem rate
equivalent to the rate for a GS-15; uniforms, or allowances
therefor, as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901-5902),
$102,400,000, of which not to exceed $2,000 may be used for
official reception and representation expenses. The amounts
made available to the National Transportation Safety Board in
this Act include amounts necessary to make lease payments on
an obligation incurred in fiscal year 2001 for a capital
lease.
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation
payment to the neighborhood reinvestment corporation
For payment to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation
for use in neighborhood reinvestment activities, as
authorized by the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act
(42 U.S.C. 8101-8107), $127,100,000: Provided, That in
addition, $58,000,000 shall be made available until expended
to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation for mortgage
foreclosure mitigation activities, under the following terms
and conditions:
(1) The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (``NRC'')
shall make grants to counseling intermediaries approved by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (with
match to be determined by the NRC based on affordability and
the economic conditions of an area; a match also may be
waived by the NRC based on the aforementioned conditions) to
provide mortgage foreclosure mitigation assistance primarily
to States and areas with high rates of defaults and
foreclosures to help eliminate the default and foreclosure of
mortgages of owner-occupied single-family homes that are at
risk of such foreclosure. Other than areas with high rates of
defaults and foreclosures, grants may also be provided to
approved counseling intermediaries based on a geographic
analysis of the Nation by the NRC which determines where
there is a prevalence of mortgages that are risky and likely
to fail, including any trends for mortgages that are likely
to default and face foreclosure. A State Housing Finance
Agency may also be eligible where the State Housing Finance
Agency meets all the requirements under this paragraph. A
HUD-approved counseling intermediary shall meet certain
mortgage foreclosure mitigation assistance counseling
requirements, as determined by the NRC, and shall be approved
by HUD or the NRC as meeting these requirements.
(2) Mortgage foreclosure mitigation assistance shall only
be made available to homeowners of owner-occupied homes with
mortgages in default or in danger of default. These mortgages
shall likely be subject to a foreclosure action and
homeowners will be provided such assistance that shall
consist of activities that are likely to prevent foreclosures
and result in the long-term affordability of the mortgage
retained pursuant to such activity or another positive
outcome for the homeowner. No funds made available under this
paragraph may be provided directly to lenders or homeowners
to discharge outstanding mortgage balances or for any other
direct debt reduction payments.
(3) The use of Mortgage Foreclosure Mitigation Assistance
by approved counseling intermediaries and State Housing
Finance Agencies shall involve a reasonable analysis of the
borrower's financial situation, an evaluation of the current
value of the property that is subject to the mortgage,
counseling regarding the assumption of the mortgage by
another non-Federal party, counseling regarding the possible
purchase of the mortgage by a non-Federal third party,
counseling and advice of all likely restructuring and
refinancing strategies or the approval of a work-out strategy
by all interested parties.
(4) NRC may provide up to 15 percent of the total funds
under this paragraph to its own charter members with
expertise in foreclosure prevention counseling, subject to a
certification by the NRC that the procedures for selection do
not consist of any procedures or activities that could be
construed as an unacceptable conflict of interest or have the
appearance of impropriety.
(5) HUD-approved counseling entities and State Housing
Finance Agencies receiving funds under this paragraph shall
have demonstrated experience in successfully working with
financial institutions as well as borrowers facing default,
delinquency and foreclosure as well as documented counseling
capacity, outreach capacity, past successful performance and
positive outcomes with documented counseling plans (including
post mortgage foreclosure mitigation counseling), loan
workout agreements and loan modification agreements. NRC may
use other criteria to demonstrate capacity in underserved
areas.
(6) Of the total amount made available under this
paragraph, up to $3,000,000 may be made available to build
the mortgage foreclosure and default mitigation counseling
capacity of counseling intermediaries through NRC training
courses with HUD-approved counseling intermediaries and their
partners, except that private financial institutions that
participate in NRC training shall pay market rates for such
training.
(7) Of the total amount made available under this
paragraph, up to 6 percent may be used for associated
administrative expenses for the NRC to carry out activities
provided under this section.
(8) Mortgage foreclosure mitigation assistance grants may
include a budget for outreach and advertising, and training,
as determined by the NRC.
(9) The NRC shall continue to report bi-annually to the
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations as well as the
Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services
Committee on its efforts to mitigate mortgage default.
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
operating expenses
For necessary expenses (including payment of salaries,
authorized travel, hire of passenger motor vehicles, the
rental of conference rooms, and the employment of experts and
consultants under section 3109 of title 5, United States
Code) of the United States Interagency Council on
Homelessness in carrying out the functions pursuant to title
II of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended,
$3,000,000.
TITLE IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS ACT
Sec. 401. None of the funds in this Act shall be used for
the planning or execution of any program to pay the expenses
of, or otherwise compensate, non-Federal parties intervening
in regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings funded in this Act.
Sec. 402. None of the funds appropriated in this Act shall
remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal
year, nor may any be transferred to other appropriations,
unless expressly so provided herein.
Sec. 403. The expenditure of any appropriation under this
Act for any consulting service through procurement contract
pursuant to section 3109 of title 5, United States Code,
shall be limited to those contracts where such expenditures
are a matter of public record and available for public
inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing
law, or under existing Executive order issued pursuant to
existing law.
Sec. 404. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, none
of the funds provided in this Act, provided by previous
appropriations Acts to the agencies or entities funded in
this Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure
in fiscal year 2014, or provided from any accounts in the
Treasury derived by the collection of fees and available to
the agencies funded by this Act, shall be available for
obligation or expenditure through a reprogramming of funds
that:
(1) creates a new program;
(2) eliminates a program, project, or activity;
(3) increases funds or personnel for any program, project,
or activity for which funds have been denied or restricted by
the Congress;
(4) proposes to use funds directed for a specific activity
by either the House or Senate Committees on Appropriations
for a different purpose;
(5) augments existing programs, projects, or activities in
excess of $5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less;
(6) reduces existing programs, projects, or activities by
$5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less; or
(7) creates, reorganizes, or restructures a branch,
division, office, bureau, board, commission, agency,
administration, or department different from the budget
justifications
[[Page H5170]]
submitted to the Committees on Appropriations or the table
accompanying the explanatory statement accompanying this Act,
whichever is more detailed, unless prior approval is received
from the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations:
Provided, That not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, each agency funded by this Act shall
submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of the
Senate and of the House of Representatives to establish the
baseline for application of reprogramming and transfer
authorities for the current fiscal year: Provided further,
That the report shall include:
(A) a table for each appropriation with a separate column
to display the President's budget request, adjustments made
by Congress, adjustments due to enacted rescissions, if
appropriate, and the fiscal year enacted level;
(B) a delineation in the table for each appropriation both
by object class and program, project, and activity as
detailed in the budget appendix for the respective
appropriation; and
(C) an identification of items of special congressional
interest: Provided further, That the amount appropriated or
limited for salaries and expenses for an agency shall be
reduced by $100,000 per day for each day after the required
date that the report has not been submitted to the Congress.
Sec. 405. Except as otherwise specifically provided by
law, not to exceed 50 percent of unobligated balances
remaining available at the end of fiscal year 2014 from
appropriations made available for salaries and expenses for
fiscal year 2014 in this Act, shall remain available through
September 30, 2015, for each such account for the purposes
authorized: Provided, That a request shall be submitted to
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations prior to
the expenditure of such funds: Provided further, That these
requests shall be made in compliance with reprogramming
guidelines under section 404 of this Act.
Sec. 406. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act
may be obligated or expended for any employee training that--
(1) does not meet identified needs for knowledge, skills,
and abilities bearing directly upon the performance of
official duties;
(2) contains elements likely to induce high levels of
emotional response or psychological stress in some
participants;
(3) does not require prior employee notification of the
content and methods to be used in the training and written
end of course evaluation;
(4) contains any methods or content associated with
religious or quasi-religious belief systems or ``new age''
belief systems as defined in Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission Notice N-915.022, dated September 2, 1988; or
(5) is offensive to, or designed to change, participants'
personal values or lifestyle outside the workplace.
(b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit, restrict, or
otherwise preclude an agency from conducting training bearing
directly upon the performance of official duties.
Sec. 407. No funds in this Act may be used to support any
Federal, State, or local projects that seek to use the power
of eminent domain, unless eminent domain is employed only for
a public use: Provided, That for purposes of this section,
public use shall not be construed to include economic
development that primarily benefits private entities:
Provided further, That any use of funds for mass transit,
railroad, airport, seaport or highway projects as well as
utility projects which benefit or serve the general public
(including energy-related, communication-related, water-
related and wastewater-related infrastructure), other
structures designated for use by the general public or which
have other common-carrier or public-utility functions that
serve the general public and are subject to regulation and
oversight by the government, and projects for the removal of
an immediate threat to public health and safety or
brownfields as defined in the Small Business Liability Relief
and Brownfields Revitalization Act (Public Law 107-118) shall
be considered a public use for purposes of eminent domain.
Sec. 408. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality
of the United States Government, except pursuant to a
transfer made by, or transfer authority provided in, this Act
or any other appropriations Act.
Sec. 409. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall be available to pay the salary for any person
filling a position, other than a temporary position, formerly
held by an employee who has left to enter the Armed Forces of
the United States and has satisfactorily completed his or her
period of active military or naval service, and has within 90
days after his or her release from such service or from
hospitalization continuing after discharge for a period of
not more than 1 year, made application for restoration to his
or her former position and has been certified by the Office
of Personnel Management as still qualified to perform the
duties of his or her former position and has not been
restored thereto.
Sec. 410. No funds appropriated pursuant to this Act may
be expended by an entity unless the entity agrees that in
expending the assistance the entity will comply with sections
2 through 4 of the Act of March 3, 1933 (41 U.S.C. 10a-10c,
popularly known as the ``Buy American Act'').
Sec. 411. No funds appropriated or otherwise made
available under this Act shall be made available to any
person or entity that has been convicted of violating the Buy
American Act (41 U.S.C. 10a-10c).
Sec. 412. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used for first-class airline accommodations in
contravention of sections 301-10.122 and 301-10.123 of title
41, Code of Federal Regulations.
Sec. 413. None of the funds made available under this Act
or any prior Act may be provided to the Association of
Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), or any of its
affiliates, subsidiaries, or allied organizations.
Sec. 414. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to enter into a contract, memorandum of
understanding, or cooperative agreement with, make a grant
to, or provide a loan or loan guarantee to any corporation
that was convicted of a felony criminal violation under any
Federal law within the preceding 24 months, where the
awarding agency is aware of the conviction, unless the agency
has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and
has made a determination that this further action is not
necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
Sec. 415. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used in furtherance of the implementation of the European
Union greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme for aviation
activities established by European Union Directive 2008/101/
EC.
Sec. 416. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to enter into a contract, memorandum of
understanding, or cooperative agreement with, make a grant
to, or provide a loan or loan guarantee to, any corporation
that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been
assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies
have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being
paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the
authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, where
the awarding agency is aware of the unpaid tax liability,
unless the agency has considered suspension or debarment of
the corporation and has made a determination that this
further action is not necessary to protect the interests of
the Government.
Sec. 417. None of the budget authority made available by
this Act may be used to reduce funding or otherwise alter the
implementation of a program, project or activity as proposed
for elimination in the President's fiscal year 2015 budget
request until the proposed change is enacted in an
appropriation Act, or unless such change is made pursuant to
the reprogramming and transfer provisions of this Act or in
accordance with sunset or termination dates previously
enacted in law.
Sec. 418. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
and the Secretary of Transportation shall each submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of
Representatives, at the time that the President's budget
proposal for fiscal year 2015 is submitted pursuant to
section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, a
comprehensive report compiled in conjunction with the
Government Accountability Office that details updated
missions, goals, strategies, and priorities, along with
performance metrics that are measurable, repeatable, and
directly linked to requests for funding, as described in the
accompanying report.
Sec. 419. It is the sense of the Congress that the
Congress should not pass any legislation that authorizes
spending cuts that would increase poverty in the United
States.
The Acting CHAIR. Are there any amendments to that section of the
bill?
The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
SPENDING REDUCTION ACCOUNT
Sec. 420. The amount by which the applicable allocation of
new budget authority made by the Committee on Appropriations
of the House of Representatives under section 302(b) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 exceeds the amount of
proposed new budget authority is $0.
Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.
The motion was agreed to.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr.
Broun of Georgia) having assumed the chair, Ms. Foxx, Acting Chair of
the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported
that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R.
2610) making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and
Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes, had come to no
resolution thereon.
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