Senate rejects White House Rescission Package
This week, the Senate rejected the Trump Administration’s proposal to recapture $15 billion in funds previously approved by Congress, including some funds for affordable housing and community development. The measure failed by a vote of 48-50, with Senators Collins (R-ME) and Burr (R-NC) voting with their Democratic colleagues to stall the bill. The House had previously passed the “Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act” (H.R. 3) after the White House released it in early May. NAHMA opposed the rescission effort, which would have rolled back $40 million in carry-over balances from USDA’s Section 521 Rural Rental Assistance program and $151 million from the Capital Magnet Fund (CMF). Additionally, the bill would have rescinded $40 million from HUD’s Public Housing Capital Fund, most of which was appropriated in Fiscal Year 2017 to cover capital repair needs, such as RAD conversions, physical inspections, and grants for the Jobs Plus program. Much of the remaining rescissions were aimed at the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell defended the bill from the floor this week, saying, “This modest belt-tightening would in no way infringe on the bipartisan spending deal that senators on both sides agreed to earlier this year. This savings package is 100% unrelated to that agreement. Totally separate…It simply pulls back a small amount of unspent funds from a variety of government accounts.” Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy called the effort “unconscionable.” As Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Leahy said, “We are voting on a bill today that would claw back billions of dollars from children’s health insurance, affordable housing investments, infrastructure, rural development and innovative energy programs.”White House reveals plan to reorganize the federal government
This week, the Trump Administration unveiled a proposal to reorganize the federal government, titled “Delivering Government Solutions in the 21st Century: Reform Plan and Reorganization Recommendations.” The report recommends consolidations and overhauls related to various federal agencies, including those administering affordable housing, community development, and housing finance programs. For example, the report proposes moving USDA’s rural home loan guarantee and rental assistance programs to HUD, while also consolidating HUD headquarters and reforming HUD’s rent policies. In addition, the proposal seeks to overhaul the housing finance system by privatizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The more significant recommendations would require legislative approval; NAHMA will keep members up-to-date on the reorganize efforts.NAHMA announces “AHMA Advocacy Challenge” for August Congressional Recess
This week, NAHMA announced a new way to get involved with NAHMA’s grassroots advocacy efforts: the AHMA “World Cup” Advocacy Challenge from July 27th – September 3rd, 2018. Join us for a friendly competition to earn points for your AHMAs and elevate the importance of affordable housing. While lawmakers are in their home districts this August, conduct advocacy activities like posting on social media or hosting a property tour to earn points. Affordable housing talking points, statistics, and sample posts will be provided to help with advocacy. Winners will be announced at NAHMA’s October Meeting in Washington, DC.UP NEXT: What NAHMA is watching for next week
- Thursday, June 28th, 4pm: NAHMA Federal Affairs Committee hosts “Advocacy Call Part 1: How to Plan a Resident Engagement Activity” (dial 1-800-377-8846, 80093908#)
- NAHMAnalysis on FY19 Appropriations (Comparison of House, Senate, and Administration’s proposed levels)