Effort to Ban Faith-Based, Non-Profit Groups from Affordable Housing Fund is Undemocratic

Press Release

DeGette: Effort to Ban Faith-Based, Non-Profit Groups from Affordable Housing Fund is Undemocratic

U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) strongly opposed a House Republican plan to ban non-profit organizations that receive federal funds to build affordable housing from participating in any voter registration efforts, even if it is strictly non-partisan. The bill would also prevent groups that provide a variety of services, including faith-based organizations like Catholic Charities, from receiving any federal assistance to build affordable housing.

"This has got to be one of the most anti-democratic - and very likely unconstitutional - proposals to come out of Congress in a long time. It defies logic to ban religious and civic organizations that play such a large role in our communities from receiving federal funds to build affordable housing," said Rep. DeGette. "How can anyone claim that Colorado would be better served if groups that participate in non-partisan voter registration or run soup kitchens or faith-based charities are excluded from helping build houses for the poor?"

The restrictions were attached to a bill, the GSE Federal Housing Finance Reform Act, which would strengthen oversight of government-sponsored enterprises, like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These enterprises help lower and middle income families, including many elderly and minorities, get access to affordable mortgages.

"It makes sense to ask that groups receiving federal funds do not engage in partisan activities. But the federal government should never dissuade or prevent groups from trying to get more American citizens to participate in our democracy," said Rep. DeGette.

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