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Rep. Cleaver Denounces Bush Cuts In Community Development Block Grants

Date: Feb. 7, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Criminal Justice


Rep. Cleaver Denounces Bush Cuts In Community Development Block Grants
February 7, 2005

(Washington, DC)-Today Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) criticized the budget proposal released by President Bush that shortchanges a number of domestic priorities. Under the President's budget, funding for community development, housing, healthcare, education and local law enforcement grant programs are sharply reduced, including money for Community Development Block Grants that have played a vital role in cultivating areas of the Fifth Congressional District.

"This budget simply does not reflect the priorities or values of the American people," said Congressman Cleaver. "Communities across the country will feel the pinch of an irresponsible budget that cuts funding for some of the most effective governmental programs. Our cities are going to find it more and more difficult to meet housing needs, educate our children and fully equip our police officers and firefighters."

The President's budget initiative combines 18 economic and community development grant programs into only two and transfers them to the U.S. Commerce Department at a total funding level of only $3.71 billion, with the goal of abolishing most of the programs or drastically slashing funds for the ones that do survive.

Community Development Block Grants alone are currently funded at a level of $4.71 billion and could see up to a 40 percent cut in funding under the new plan. In the President's budget, the Fiscal Year 2006 allotment for economic and community development is only $15.5 billion, down from the current funding level of $16.2 billion.

"Congress needs to take a stand and work to preserve programs like Community Development Block Grants that have been instrumental in creating jobs, providing homes to low-income families, reaching out to our youth and protecting our neighborhoods by keeping cops on the streets," said Cleaver.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo05_cleaver/pr_050207_communitydevelopmentblock.html

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