Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act

Floor Speech

At a time when our Nation faces an unprecedented affordable housing and homelessness crisis, which House Republicans have done nothing to address over the last 2 years, it is unthinkable to consider reducing support for the very individuals who have risked their lives to defend our freedom.

When this bill came before our committee, we understood that this bill perhaps will lessen the kind of support that very, very poor veterans get. We know that, in fact, those veterans with disabilities, for example, are being penalized in ways because that disability check that they are getting does not fully support them. Any money that they get for their disability should not be taken into consideration for whether or not they are eligible, and so in trying to balance what we do for disability and for the poor veterans, we thought perhaps this wasn't the right way to do it.

Mr. Speaker, do you know what? Given the housing crisis and the needs that veterans have, we certainly have changed our opinion on the thought that perhaps the bill was not the right one. We support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I want you to know that the incoming Trump administration has endorsed basically what I just described as doing nothing to address the housing and homeless crisis over the last 2 years.

Today's bipartisan bill, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act, represents an important stance by the House of Representatives to oppose efforts to slash housing programs like the Community Development Block Grant program and benefits for U.S. veterans generally.

It has to be very clear that we support the Community Development Block Grant program, period. We also support the idea that disabled veterans should not be penalized because they are getting disability benefits and that it would be considered having too much money in order to qualify for some housing programs. We join with our friends from across the aisle in support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I want you to know that we are thinking very, very hard about some of the coming actions that will be taken by this new administration as it relates to veterans.

When we see and understand how best to help veterans--those who are getting disability benefits and those who are poor, who are standing in line, who are waiting to get benefits--we don't want the new administration to take any action against our veterans, against our disabled veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I am really worried about co-president Musk and what he said in an op-ed. He said he plans to slash nearly $500 billion in government spending where congressional authorization has expired. That figure includes nearly $120 billion in funding for veterans, including money for VA hospitals, doctors, nurses, medications, and procedures.

Notably, the program we are amending today, the Community Development Block Grant program, also has elapsed authorization. That means it will also be on the chopping block. I hope my Republican colleagues are paying attention. We are paying attention. Passage of this bill would only help veterans if Republicans also block co-president Musk's efforts to eliminate CDBG entirely.

I strongly oppose co-president Elon Musk's efforts to harm veterans, to strip affordable housing from families, and to take away Federal grants used to educate our children.

Instead, we should look to see how mega-billionaires like co- president Musk and others pay their fair share in taxes. They profit handsomely, often at the expense of Americans, and they should have to pay a larger portion.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I want both sides of the aisle to look closely at everything that has been said about our veterans and any attempts to undermine their ability to have a decent quality of life and to get the support that they expect.

If you look closely, no matter what is being said, let's join together on both sides of the aisle and support our veterans, no matter what. Let's tell co-president Elon Musk that, no, he will not, shall not, and must not do anything to harm our veterans when talking about getting rid of all unauthorized programs. We have seen the light, and we hope he will see the light.

Ms. De La CRUZ.

Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant program helps local communities fund housing and economic development projects that primarily serve low-income and moderate-income households, including many veterans.

Like many civilians, countless veterans are struggling to make ends meet while housing costs continue to rise. It is thanks to Federal housing programs under the Biden-Harris administration that Democrats have successfully reduced homelessness among veterans to its lowest level ever. It is thanks to Federal investments in the housing supply that the Biden-Harris administration has helped build more homes and slowed the rate of housing inflation compared to the previous administration.

Last Congress, Democrats successfully passed four housing bills into law. Meanwhile, as of today, Republicans have passed zero housing bills into law and have passed just one housing bill on the House floor before today, which would hike up mortgage rates and make homeownership more expensive.

Today, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act finally represents a bipartisan commitment to the Federal Government's role in housing and supporting our Nation's veterans. Indeed, it is because of our duty to secure the well-being and dignity of those who have served that no one in this Chamber can rest easy if they care about veterans.

Co-president Elon Musk is already eyeing massive cuts to veteran benefits, up to $120 billion. I hope we will similarly see strong bipartisanship as we oppose those efforts next Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. De La CRUZ.

I would like to take a moment to say what a proud moment this is. In the crazy Halls of Congress, we can actually get some commonsense legislation passed off the House floor. I am confident that the Senate will see how important this small change can be in making a big difference specifically with our veterans.

Our veterans give so much to this great country, and I am so proud that we came together. I thank my colleague, Congressman Sherman, for working in a bipartisan manner to get this bill done. I know how important his bill is, as well. Ultimately, it is about our veterans and making sure that our veterans are not homeless.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7480, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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