HUD Archives: News Releases

CUOMO CALLS ON SENATE TO RESTORE HUD BUDGET CUTS AND FULLY FUND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S REQUEST FOR DEPARTMENT

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today called on the Senate to restore $1.6 billion in program cuts to the HUD budget that were made Thursday by the House, and thanked House members who cast enough votes against the bill to sustain a presidential veto.

President Clinton has promised to veto the House budget bill covering HUD and other agencies because it does not provide enough funding for vital programs. The House would need 290 votes to override the President's veto, but the budget bill passed by a vote of 235-187 - 55 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed for a veto override if all members vote.

"The House failure to get a veto-proof majority was an overwhelming victory was an overwhelming victory for America's people and places left behind - families struggling to find affordable housing, people on welfare struggling to get jobs, and cities struggling to reverse decades of decline," Cuomo said. "At this time of prosperity and budget surpluses, now is the time to remember those in need and help them become participants instead of spectators in the economic boom. If we can't remember the needs of these forgotten Americans in today's good times, when will we remember them?"

"I urge the Senate to act in the national interest and restore the $1.6 billion taken from HUD's budget by the House and fully fund the President's budget request," Cuomo added. "It makes no sense to make devastating cuts in programs for the poorest families in America to finance tax cuts for the richest people in this country. Cynical attempts by some to restore funding for programs in individual Congressional Districts aren't enough. We need nationwide funding to meet a nationwide need."

A HUD study issued in August found that the budget cuts would have a devastating impact on the poorest people and communities in America. The study - called Losing Ground: The Impact of HUD Budget Cuts on America's Communities - concluded that the proposed cuts would deprive 97,000 people of jobs, 156,000 families of affordable housing, and 16,000 families and individuals who are homeless or have AIDS of vital housing assistance