House Approves Native Hawaiian Housing Bill

Press Release

House Approves Native Hawaiian Housing Bill

Today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 835, the Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act, a bill sponsored by Congressman Neil Abercrombie and Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono. The bill passed on a vote of 272 ayes to 150 nays.

"This is good news for eligible families who want to buy or refinance homes located in the Hawaiian Home Lands," said Abercrombie. The legislation reauthorizes the Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee Program, which makes private financing possible for homes in the legally designated areas. The bill also reauthorizes a block grant program to make funds available to build road and utility infrastructure and accommodate additional home development.

The bill was first brought to the House floor last week. Although it garnered a majority of votes (234-188), it did not achieve the two-thirds needed for passage of noncontroversial bills that are brought up under suspension of the House rules. Abercrombie and Hirono were successful in having the House leadership bring the bill back to the floor this week and in arguing to the House Rules Committee that no amendments be allowed.

Congressman Abercrombie pointed out that 39 of the 162 Republicans who voted against reauthorizing the housing program in 2007 had actually cosponsored its creation in 2000.

During debate on the bill last night, Congresswoman Hirono refuted claims that the bill was unconstitutional or that it had anything to do with the Rice v. Cayetano decision, as some opponents had claimed. "I am pleased with the strong support we were able to get on this vote," said Hirono. "It is clear to me, however, that many members don't understand the history of interactions of Native Hawaiians and the federal government. We will continue to work to try to educate these members. It is also clear to me that we have members who do not support self-determination for Native Hawaiians and no amount of education will change their minds." (Congresswoman Hirono's full floor statement is attached.)

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration by that chamber.

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