Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Chair, I thank my good friend from Texas for yielding me this time.

Madam Chairwoman, my amendment in this en bloc package is very simple. It transfers $1.5 million from the general administration account to the homeless assistance programs and suicide prevention outreach.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 40,000 veterans are homeless in any given night in this great country. In Arkansas, we have coordinated robust efforts in Little Rock to combat homelessness, but still 250 veterans can experience homelessness on any given day.

I have got three veterans on my constituent team. They spend time in our shelters every month helping vets. Our vets deserve that extra touch. One of those safe places is St. Francis House, a nonprofit in Little Rock that has done exceptional work to help our veterans experiencing homelessness. For over 30 years, they have been providing transitional housing for homeless veterans.

Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and safety, and in return, we need to do everything we can to ensure they get the proper attention and care that they deserve. We must all work together to continue to move forward, addressing this issue that plagues too many of our veterans across the country and help those suffering from the plague of homelessness.

Madam Chair, I urge passage of my amendment.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ.

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