GOP strikes provision giving housing preferences to convicted felons
It is reassuring to see that there are some clear differences left between Democrats and Republicans. Today in the House, lawmakers voted on a bill reauthorizing a federal housing program. The Democrats wanted to give housing preferences to convicted felons, according to the House Republican leadership. The GOP wanted to strike that provision and grant the preference to troops instead:
Under current law, a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule governs eligibility of criminals seeking federally-assisted public housing. Specifically, public housing authorities may not admit families with members:
-Who were evicted from federally assisted housing for drug-related criminal activity for three years following the date of eviction;
-Who are currently engaging in illegal drug use;
-Who have shown a pattern of illegal drug or alcohol use that may interfere with the health or safety of other public housing residents;
-Who are subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender program; or
-Who have ever been convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on public housing property.H.R. 3524 would undermine HUD’s ability to enforce these rules and instead would extend a broad “Hard to House” preference to convicted felons – even those who were released from prison less than one year ago. The Republican proposal would strike this language and instead provide a similar preference to Armed Forces veterans.
The GOP amendment passed this afternoon:
House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today after the House passed an amendment authored by Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) making sure America’s veterans are given a chance at securing adequate housing before preferences are extended to those who have violated our laws:
“If the majority is going to use this legislation to assign housing preferences to certain groups ahead of others, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to insist America’s veterans are put atop that list. Thankfully, we were able to pass an amendment on the floor today that will ensure just that – turning aside an effort by Democratic leaders to extend preferential treatment to criminal offenders at the expense of our nation’s veterans.
“Far too many men and women whose lives have been spent in service to this country find themselves today in need of public housing. At least with the passage of this amendment, these vets won’t have to stand in line behind criminal offenders – some, only months removed from prison – as they work with HUD and other agencies to secure an adequate housing arrangement.
“I want to thank Sam Graves for his hard work in helping craft and offer this amendment, and his strong and persistent leadership on behalf of veterans in our state and across the country.”
There were 28 Democrats who voted against the measure to put troops above convicted felons. Here they are:
Becerra
Castor
Clarke
Clay
Conyers
Davis (IL)
DeGette
Dingell
Ellison
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Honda
Johnson, E. B.
Kucinich
Lee
Lewis (GA)
McDermott
Miller, George
Moran (VA)
Richardson
Schakowsky
Slaughter
Stark
Thompson (MS)
Waters
Watson
Woolsey
Wynn
See what others have said
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Ellison is one of those. Next he will want reformed jihadists receiving housing prior to our troops. Get rid of these Dem’s….soon.
I think it should read “there were 28 traitors that voted against putting Heros above convicted felons.” But that’s just the way I see them. Traitors.
The deomcrats are only trying to protect their own. Criminals by far vote Democrat and it is in the interest of the Democrats to cater to their
peersbase.It’s not that these 28 Democrats hate the troops, they just love convicted felons more. Absolute insanity!
Will not be too soon. I watched a focus group of Democrats and what the candidates said in the debate and the things the focus group heard them say were not even with-in the same galaxy. It is just amazing how detatched from reality some Americans have become.
And people vote for these butt wipes. No excuse…simply no excuse!
It comes as no surprise that my representative(?) - hereinafter known as CINO(congressman in name only), Stark-raving-mad would be on that list. As far back as I can remember he has been a staunch hater of the military. I can’t think of anything he’s ever said in praise of the Armed Forces. As far as he’s concerned, the military is a waste of money that could be put to better use - i.e., handouts, government-subsidized healthcare, housing, and sundry other social programs. What he has never realized, and never will, is that it is that very military that he despises so much that allows him the freedom to mouth off and slander the troops.
The same could probably be said for all of the names on that list. And I see that the comments are already pouring in.
Folks, we get the kind of government we deserve - if we’re not smart enough to see the kind of idiots and hatemongers we’re electing, then we really DO deserve them. Please note that I am using “we” in the sense of the entire country, not those of us who are sane enough to see through this crap.
There are enough people who keep believing their promises and keep re-electing them to make our ranting completely ineffective.
Like children, they see the ice cream man, and want their ice cream, but they don’t see how hard the parents have to work for the money to buy that ice cream.
I spent the better part of my adult life defending the rights of these idiots, guaranteeing them their right to slander me. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.
The first step was to get them housing. The second step is to get them voting rights.
Yep. Remember fast Eddie Rendell doing exactly that in 2004. He had his people in the prisons registering voters.
28 dem no votes and criminals… hmmm…(jail)birds of feather stick together
And the Dems claim they support the troops. Right. They can’t be any more blatant in showing their lack of support by preferring to give help to felons instead of troops coming home from fighting for our country.
What is wrong with these people?
Naturally, convicted felons can still make bigger campaign contributions than homeless veterans.
A more complete list of the usual scumbag suspects one could not find.
Their democraps katieanne and your surprised?
It’s pretty obvious the democrats want to help their voting base. Troops tend to be anti-democrat. I understand why those democrats voted the way they did, but I abhor the reason. Jim Moran, a very liberal democrat in Arlington, Va. used to send me his newsletter, until I wrote a blistering condemnation of his use of push/pull polling in his district. He was once at a Celtic function I attended. Walking around and shaking hands, he came up to me, extended his hand, and said, “Hi, I’m Jim Moran.” I replied, “Sorry to hear that”, and walked away. Made my day.
Diana DeGette on the list. Doesn’t surprise me one bit. She’s about as left-wing a moonbat as they come.
Kinda makes me ashamed to be a Coloradan. Fortunately, Tom Tancredo balances her bad karma out.
I’m surprised the Honorable William Jefferson’s name wasn’t on this list. You’d think he’d vote his self interest here, wouldn’t you?
Alcee Hastings seems to be missing also.
Strange, Very Strange……..
I am shocked mind you SHOCKED! Sure I am.
It looks like Kucinich and Richardson haven’t learned anything from their stint in the race to become POTUS.
Sour grapes? Perhaps.
What legitimate excuse does the Crapweasels 28 have for voting against this measure?
Not surprised, rightisright, just continually disgusted.
What??!!! These people are helpless. The only antidote to these Democrats is exposing their votes.
Thanks Michelle.
It’s a good thing for Democrats that there are two Americas. Do you think any of them would have voted this way if there was any possibility a convicted felon might move in next door?
Because everyone’s equal, it is quite OK for hardcore criminals to move into the barn with the other animals. But because some are more equal than others, there’s no chance these convicted felons will get to share the farmhouse with the priviledged pigs.
First off, as a veteran and an army brat, it is criminal that our active and veteran Soldiers ever have to rely on public housing. It really frosts my behind.
Secondly, we really don’t want well trained, honorable people that know how to defend themselves living in the cesspool that is public housing. Criminals and drug dealers might have to start peddling their wares elsewhere and THEN where would the economy be. I mean, really! Someone could get hurt. /sarc
Well, gee ain’t this sweet.
So the group from the “three tykes you’re out” crowd gets preference over the military.
I think you have the wrong Richardson, unless somehow the governor of New Mexico can now vote in Congress.
Yes, everyone’s favorite Muslim congressman. I live in his district. Unfortunately, as much as we would like, its an uphill battle to get rid of him. The uber-liberal U of Minnesota is in this district. And, effective or not, he’s a poster boy for the Democratic Party nationally and locally. They aren’t going to let him go easily.
The clown will get a note from me on this one though, his district also has the highest crime rate in MN (thanks to fmr County Attorney Amy Klobuchar who never met a criminal she wanted to convict - she now resides in the US Senate for MN), I suppose this vote wanted to protect his constituents (felons) over Soldiers.
Just another example of the left’s skewed thinking. Why should felon’s even get in to government subsidized housing at all if your a felon you can’t vote so why should a felon be able to recieve any government benefit?
Over 50% commit other crimes and return to prison not a very good track record I’d say.
Stand by for the next wave of righteous outrage from Katrina survivors. You know that is who the Republicans were targeting.
/ need I? Although I am sure one of those fine Dems will trot it out
Remember this when the Democrats bloviate about “caring for the poor” - clearly, their definition of poor and mine differ.
Housing opportunities like this are meant for people who’ve fallen on hard times - not those who inflicted poverty on themselves by breaking the law.
Remember, according to the liberals, anti-war types, and some congressmen, all us military types are criminals anyway. But then, they suffer from rectal-cranial inversion.
Honda is on the list…that would be “my” representative here in Santa Clara, CA. What a jerk.
Duke brings up a good point. What are our veterans doing having to go to public housing anyway? They might as well re-enlist and go back to Iraq; a whole lot safer there, and you can defend yourself. In some public housing, you have a better chance getting shot than on patrol. At least in Iraq, you don’t have to worry about your family.
Do not assume that convicted felons can not vote. That is a matter of state law and the left have been pushing for years to roll back any bar to universal suffrage. Remember they even want aliens to have the vote.
Wonder what happened to my esteemed congressman Robert Wexler? Perhaps too busy planning impeachment hearings for Bush and Cheney? But of course all the scumwads remain in office because they reflect their moonbat constituents’ views.