Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007

TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THE JUDICIARY, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007

Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, lead paint hazards still threaten communities with exposure to toxins in the home triggering asthma at a great cost to American families and the national economy. Those most vulnerable are low-income and minority children living in older, substandard housing.

Despite these facts and the continued bipartisan support for HUD's lead hazard control grants, this bill cuts funding by approximately $35 million. With only one-third of the HUD requests from cities and States being funded, these cuts would only further jeopardize the health and safety of children and families across the Nation.

I, therefore, rise today to urge you to support the Slaughter-Velázquez-Terry amendment which restores funds for this critical program that will help with prevention efforts and move us closer to the national goal of eradicating lead poisoning altogether. Last year, a similar amendment passed the House with bipartisan support.

Voting for this amendment will ensure that children and families nationwide will have a safe place to call home, free from the worry of harm from household toxins.

http://thomas.loc.gov

Source