Issue Position: Community Service Block Grant

Issue Position

The Community Service Block Grant Program (CDBG) has long been a lifeline for New York's towns and cities, allowing them to make critical investments that have returns for years to come. Since 1974, this successful program has provided vital funds to build affordable housing, revitalize run down neighborhoods and provide economic development opportunities. Despite the success of this program, the Bush Administration has proposed to slash funding nearly 20 percent.

Cutting CDBG funding would deal a destructive blow to efforts to revitalize the economy and improve the quality of life of our nation ' s most distressed communit ies. That is why I joined with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stop this assault against the CDBG program. Last May, my colleagues and I sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee requesting to fully fund the CDBG program. I am pleased the Committee recommended over $1 billion more than the President's request for this crucial program. I will continue to fight cuts to the CDBG program.

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