Democratic Initiatives Archive

Democrats Fight Against Bush Administration's Cuts to Housing Programs in FY 2007 Budget- The FY 2007 HUD budget accelerates a five year effort by the Bush Administration to dismantle critical HUD programs, to make deep funding cuts in these programs, and regretfully, to target these cuts to our most vulnerable low-income families, seniors, and disabled persons. Democratic members have fought to preserve these critical HUD programs, and will continue to fight devastating and unnecessary spending cuts to these programs. Click here for Additional Views of Committee Democrats for FY07 Budget, a summary of the Bush Administration's FY07 Housing Budget and also related floor statements and press releases.

Democrats Push to Include Strong Consumer Protections in Data Security Legislation- Committee Democrats have been active in pushing for stronger consumer protections in data security legislation.  Reps. Frank, Davis and Bean introduced the Consumer Data Security and Notification Act of 2005, H.R. 3140, to provide tough consumer protections and enforcement against credit card fraud and identity theft. Click here for a detailed summary of Democratic data security bill, bill language, and press releases related to data security.

HUD's Monthly Attacks on Affordable Housing (2005-2006)- 2006 not only marked the beginning of a new year, but it also marked another year of attacks on affordable housing by the Bush Administration.  Below is a compendium of impacts, month after month, that the Bush Administration's Department of Housing and Urban Development is proposing on America's affordable housing. Click here for a timeline and description of the attacks by HUD.

Democrats Opposed to Voting Rights Restrictions added to Affordable Housing Bill by Republicans- What started as a fiscally responsible, off budget and non taxpayer-financed way of providing affordable housing has turned into an assault on faith based groups and other organizations involved in low and moderate income housing. The language added to the bill forces organizations involved in affordable housing programs to choose between participating in the Affordable Housing Fund programs or engaging in constitutionally protected voter registration and lobbying activities with their own funds. Click here for a description of these unconstitutional provisions, a chronology of the fund, quotes from those opposed, related releases from Rep. Frank and a rebuttal to charges that the Affordable Housing Fund is a "political slush fund".

Democrats Fight Against Bush Administration's Cuts to Housing Programs in FY 2006 Appropriations and Reconciliation Process- The FY 2006 HUD budget accelerates a four year effort by the Bush Administration to dismantle critical HUD programs, to make deep funding cuts in these programs, and regretfully, to target these cuts to our most vulnerable low-income families, seniors, and disabled persons. Democratic members have fought to preserve these critical HUD programs, and will continue to fight devastating and unnecessary spending cuts to these programs in the appropriations and reconciliation process. Click here for Additional Views of Committee Democrats for FY06 Budget, Recommendations for Reconciliation, a summary of the Bush Administration's FY06 Housing Budget and also related floor statements, press releases and Statement for the Record.

HUD’s Assault on Low-Income Housing (2003-2004)- The Administration has engaged in monthly attacks on the nation’s low-income housing sector. Click here for a timeline and description of the monthly attacks.