Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016
Floor Speech
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Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Chairman, let me start by saying straight out that I do not support the underlying bill.
I encourage my colleagues to support my amendment that would lessen the negative budget impact of this bill and exempt any rules issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development from additional judicial review and delay. I think this is important for all of us in the House, whether we be Democrats or Republicans.
First, in dealing with the overall bill, it would severely hamstring and weaken our country's regulatory agencies. Dating back more than 100 years, regulatory agencies have executed congressional directives or identified public problems and fixed them utilizing their agency's expertise. This bill undercuts agencies' ability to do both of those things. It also throws out of balance our systems of checks and balances.
Recently, we witnessed a public health crisis in Flint, Michigan, where thousands did not have access to safe, potable drinking water.
Is the natural response to this crisis to hinder the very agencies who are supposed to protect the public?
It is not the natural response. It is the wrong response.
We shouldn't tie the hands of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies whose main objective is to protect our citizens. In attacking Federal agencies that protect the public with safeguards, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are actually attacking the public interest.
One of these agencies that advances the public interest is the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, better known as HUD. HUD provides rental assistance, affordable housing, and community development block grants, all of which are enormously important for people throughout our great Nation. I grew up in public housing, so I know the importance of programs that put a roof over a family's head. Also, community development block grants are helping to rebuild cities like New York in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which devastated so many families.
Furthermore, HUD prevents discrimination in housing and in lending. It ensures that landlords cannot deny housing to someone based on his or her race, religion, national origin, or disability. HUD also helps low-income families secure housing. Prospective buyers receive HUD assistance when buying their first home, which is oftentimes the biggest investment they will make in their lifetime. HUD, therefore, offers the opportunity for wealth accumulation and gives folks the pride that comes along with owning a home. Indeed, HUD keeps the American Dream of home ownership alive.
For our veterans, who have served their Nation with honor and deserve our unending support, HUD helps them secure housing. HUD provides homeless individuals with necessary resources to help them overcome homelessness. Individuals who suffer domestic violence also receive assistance from HUD, and we must continue to provide these victims with a safe space, protected from their abusers.
All of these populations deserve continual and robust support from HUD and our Federal Government. These are just a few examples of the impact of HUD's work and all of the people it helps. I could honestly say that it is one of the most visible and beneficial agencies that serves all of our constituents.
So I am a supporter of HUD, and I believe in all of its good work. I offer my amendment to protect HUD, as it has protected so many Americans and their families. My amendment would exempt rules issued by HUD from being included in this bill. I encourage my colleagues to vote for my amendment to relieve HUD from these foolish attacks.
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Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?
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Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Chairman, let me say, first of all, this bill is not going anywhere, fortunately, because this deceptively named Separation of Powers Restoration Act is something that really would hurt America and the American people.
So I urge to let's make the bill better by passing my amendment and other amendments that you have heard earlier. But the underlying bill is a bad bill. It is bad for our people, and we should vote ``no'' on the underlying bill also.
I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
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