Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. HECK. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

My amendment is about creating economic opportunities in Indian Country. It is about improving housing conditions, creating jobs, and helping Native communities meet their community development needs.

It is a bipartisan amendment, and it provides an additional $5 million for the Indian Community Development Block Grant program, which is one of the most flexible, most competitive grant programs of its kind and, might I add, one of the most effective.

Frankly, I was disappointed to see the President's budget request attempt to eliminate the program, especially when the problem statement associated with the need to increase our investment in infrastructure is so clear.

I have said it before, and I will say it again here today: We are in the middle of a housing crisis, in large part because we simply do not have enough homes.

While it is true that housing shortages exist across the country, nowhere is the issue more pronounced than it is in Native American communities. Native Americans experience worse housing conditions and a higher incidence of homelessness than nearly every other demographic.

One of the most important duties I have as a Member of Congress is ensuring the sovereignty of the four Tribes in my district that I have the privilege to represent, as well as the 29 Tribes in my State, and to help them as they work to provide better opportunities for Tribal members.

That is our Federal trust responsibility. Cutting this program violates that trust responsibility. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Indian Community Development Block Grant program and, in doing so, supporting the many Native American communities who will benefit from it.

Finally, I thank my colleagues, Representatives Don Young, Gwen Moore, Jared Huffman, Deb Haaland, and Tulsi Gabbard, for joining me in offering this bipartisan amendment.

I also sincerely thank Chairman Price and his staff for putting together such a comprehensive appropriations package that funds our Nation's vital transportation and housing programs.

Mr. Chair, I urge the adoption of this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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It seems to me that often around here, we have solutions in search of problems. That is absolutely not the case in this instance. The problem statement here is clear. It is screaming in its need and the depth of the need.

As a consequence, again, I thank the chair of the subcommittee and the bipartisan cosponsors of this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I urge its adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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