http://www.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/06/20/hud.funds/index.html
Cuomo, House Democrats denounce proposed 2001 HUD funding
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo and House Democratic leaders on Tuesday denounced congressional efforts to freeze HUD gun initiatives and slash $2.5 billion from the president's request for the department's 2001 budget.
"The senior advisers to the president would recommend a veto on this bill," Cuomo said. "My voice would join those of the other senior advisers. I could not recommend more vehemently that the president should veto this bill if it's passed in its current form."
Democrats argue the proposed funding cut -- to a level below the budget allocation for current fiscal year -- would hurt aid programs for the homeless, elderly housing and community block grants.
"This will take the key programs at HUD and cut them from last year's level," said Cuomo. "I can't even fathom the logic of that."
House Appropriations Chairman Bill Young (R-Florida) responded angrily in a statement released Tuesday, saying: "The Department of Housing and Urban Development received a $4 billion increase over last year (1999) in the House bill. This is a larger increase than we gave most agencies and departments in the federal government."
The proposed bill would also deny HUD any funding to administer the Communities for Safer Guns Coalition and prevent the enforcement of provisions reached in the gun safety agreement between the Clinton Administration and gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson.
In that agreement, announced last March 17, the company promised to install trigger locks, require background checks on purchases made at gun shows and develop "smart gun" technology that would allow a gun to be fired only by its owner. In exchange, public officials agreed to drop Smith & Wesson from lawsuits challenging the safety and marketing practices of the gun industry.
Democrats decried the reduction in funding as a tactic orchestrated by the groups such as the National Rifle Association, which condemned the Smith & Wesson deal.
"This is very revealing of the hypocrisy of the NRA," commented Rep. Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat. "They would have the second amendment of the Constitution amended so it would also read 'a well regulated militia being necessary to the security of the people, no housing authority shall buy safe guns.' "
By HUD estimates, the appropriations cuts would eliminate 120,000 new rental assistance vouchers, reduce community block grants by $400 million and cut funding for faith-based and community groups, elderly programs, violence reduction and homeless programs by a combined $300 million.
Republicans disagree and say instead that Cuomo is playing to public opinion.
"Our nation's needy families would be better served if Mr. Cuomo spent less time holding press conferences and more time working with Congress to ensure his programs have the maximum impact for those who depend on them," Young said.
Cuomo, House Democrats denounce proposed 2001 HUD funding
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo and House Democratic leaders on Tuesday denounced congressional efforts to freeze HUD gun initiatives and slash $2.5 billion from the president's request for the department's 2001 budget.
"The senior advisers to the president would recommend a veto on this bill," Cuomo said. "My voice would join those of the other senior advisers. I could not recommend more vehemently that the president should veto this bill if it's passed in its current form."
Democrats argue the proposed funding cut -- to a level below the budget allocation for current fiscal year -- would hurt aid programs for the homeless, elderly housing and community block grants.
"This will take the key programs at HUD and cut them from last year's level," said Cuomo. "I can't even fathom the logic of that."
House Appropriations Chairman Bill Young (R-Florida) responded angrily in a statement released Tuesday, saying: "The Department of Housing and Urban Development received a $4 billion increase over last year (1999) in the House bill. This is a larger increase than we gave most agencies and departments in the federal government."
The proposed bill would also deny HUD any funding to administer the Communities for Safer Guns Coalition and prevent the enforcement of provisions reached in the gun safety agreement between the Clinton Administration and gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson.
In that agreement, announced last March 17, the company promised to install trigger locks, require background checks on purchases made at gun shows and develop "smart gun" technology that would allow a gun to be fired only by its owner. In exchange, public officials agreed to drop Smith & Wesson from lawsuits challenging the safety and marketing practices of the gun industry.
Democrats decried the reduction in funding as a tactic orchestrated by the groups such as the National Rifle Association, which condemned the Smith & Wesson deal.
"This is very revealing of the hypocrisy of the NRA," commented Rep. Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat. "They would have the second amendment of the Constitution amended so it would also read 'a well regulated militia being necessary to the security of the people, no housing authority shall buy safe guns.' "
By HUD estimates, the appropriations cuts would eliminate 120,000 new rental assistance vouchers, reduce community block grants by $400 million and cut funding for faith-based and community groups, elderly programs, violence reduction and homeless programs by a combined $300 million.
Republicans disagree and say instead that Cuomo is playing to public opinion.
"Our nation's needy families would be better served if Mr. Cuomo spent less time holding press conferences and more time working with Congress to ensure his programs have the maximum impact for those who depend on them," Young said.
