Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2015
Floor Speech
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Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I would like to first thank the subcommittee chair of Financial Services, Mr. Luetkemeyer, for his leadership on such important issues.
As chairman of the Human Resources Subcommittee of Ways and Means, I have the distinct privilege of overseeing a number of means-tested programs aimed at providing low-income individuals and families an opportunity to move up the economic ladder.
There are a lot of lessons we have learned, and we should be using them to better serve recipients and taxpayers.
In June of last year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Inspector General found that the Federal Government paid public housing benefits to families with excessive income and assets when those benefits should have gone to low-income families in real need.
This amendment builds on reforms made by the underlying bill. This amendment reduces that burden on families by using systems they are most likely already interacting with for other means-tested programs. It also improves accuracy for housing authorities and landlords, providing them with more timely and reliable information.
Ultimately, it ensures that those with assets well above the eligibility limits will not be using benefits directed to those Americans who need the most help.
I encourage all my colleagues to support this amendment and support the underlying bill.
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Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Luetkemeyer).
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Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Chair, my understanding is PHAs asked for this, but let me just say my amendment will reduce the burdens on families by using solutions they are already interacting with through other means- tested programs.
I encourage all my colleagues to support this amendment and to support the underlying bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
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