Advocacy Update
Date: 10 Dec 2007
Author: National Alliance to End Homelessness
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Advocacy Update
NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS |
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| December 10, 2007 |
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On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the fiscal year 2008 Appropriations Bill which includes funding for programs within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Please call your House Members TODAY and ask them to vote FOR the bill. House offices can be reached via the Capitol Switchboard at 1-877-210- 5351. Call and speak with the staff person who works on HUD appropriations issues. Talking points:
- "I am calling on behalf of (ORGANIZATION), in (CITY), to ask Representative ____ to support passage of the fiscal year 2008 Appropriations Bill when it is considered by the House on Tuesday."
- "Congress has already compromised with the President on funding increases. Your boss's vote is critical to securing a veto-proof majority to prevent further cuts. Less funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development would mean the actual loss of housing assistance for some people currently being served." Click here for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' comparison of the conference agreement and the President's fiscal year 2008 request.
- Describe how people in the Congressman (woman)'s district rely on programs like the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG), Section 8, and Homeless Assistance Grants. Talk about the desperate need for more housing assistance. Describe people who are suffering because of housing foreclosures, and veterans who desperately need housing assistance.
Click here for a list of targets - Republicans who should be more likely to support the bill because they have voted favorably on recent bills.
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Appropriations Update
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On November 8, The House and Senate resolved differences between their versions of the fiscal year 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill in a conference agreement.
The conference agreement passed the House, but did not have a veto-proof majority ( Click here to see how Representatives voted). The same day, the White House threatened to veto it because the bill exceeds the President's spending requests by $3 billion.
Congress is under pressure to pass a fiscal year appropriations bill before December 14 - the day the continuing resolution expires, which is currently funding programs under the fiscal year 2007 levels. Consequently, Senate and House leaders decided to package the 11 unfinished appropriations bills together into what is called an omnibus bill, and compromise with the President on spending levels.
The President has already threatened to veto the compromise bill and has refused to negotiate. If the bill does not pass with a veto-proof majority, Congress will be forced to cut programs further until either the President signs the bill or there are enough votes to override his veto.
Please call your House Members today to protect HUD programs.
For more information or if you have questions please contact Sarah Kahn at 202-942- 8259 or skahn@naeh.org.
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Legislative Updates 
This video highlights how communities across the country are decreasing homelessness among families. Thanks to the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it’s yours to use for free. 