As more members of Congress hear from their constituents about the pitfalls of block granting tenant-based Section 8, prospects for the proposal appear to be dimming. Presently, Senator Warner (R-VA), Senator Allen (R-VA), and Senator Sarbanes (D-MD) are circulating a letter in the Senate to Secretary Martinez which raises concerns about the proposed block grant. They are asking interested senators to sign the letter by next Friday. The crux of the letter notes, “We believe that such a proposal could seriously undermine the voucher program, and could potentially harm the millions of low-income people assisted with housing vouchers.”
Given our strong opposition to the Section 8 block grant proposal, NAHMA is working to gather signatures on the letter. NAHMA is actively circulating the letter to Senate offices and asking senators to sign it.
War Appropriations
The House and Senate have overwhelmingly approved their respective versions of the emergency supplemental appropriations bills, HR 1559 and S 762. These bills are intended to fund military operations and post-war reconstruction in Iraq, homeland security measures, and foreign aid to allies. The President requested $74.7 billion for this legislation. The House bill costs about $77.9 billion, and news reports suggest the Senate bill is closer to $80 billion.
