September 22, 2004

Support for Lee-Sanders-Capuano Discharge Petition for Housing Bill Passes 100

Lee calls for action on the bill before Congress adjourns

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee convened a press conference today to push members of the House to sign a discharge petition for National Housing Trust Fund legislation in order to force action on the bill, which the House Republican leadership has long refused to schedule for floor consideration.

National Housing Trust Fund legislation (H.R. 1102) was first introduced in the House in 2001, and it passed the Financial Services Committee in 2002. Support for National Housing Trust Fund legislation across the country is strong, with more than 5,200 national, state, and local organizations and leaders having endorsed the National Housing Trust Fund Campaign. A National Housing Trust Fund would provide communities with funds to help build, rehabilitate, and preserve 1.5 million homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes over the next 10 years.

If a majority of Members sign the petition, the bill could come directly to the House floor for debate and a vote. The 101 signers of the petition include House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD), and House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Barney Frank (D-MD). H.Res. 748 is only the 11th discharge petition to be filed in the 108th Congress.

“Debate and action on this bill is long overdue and desperately needed,” Congresswoman Lee said. “We must remember that not only will this bill create 1.5 million affordable housing units, but it will also create 1.8 million new jobs. We all know our economy needs the type of economic stimulus this bill will provide.”

“We are fully committed to action on this bill before we adjourn,” Congresswoman Lee added.

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