Washington, DC – Today,
U.S. Senators from across the country stood with advocates for homeless
veterans to oppose a provision in Republicans’ reckless spending proposal that
would cut 10,000 housing vouchers that would keep homeless veterans
off the streets next year.
The Republican’s proposed cut would eliminate funding for the
successful HUD/VASH grant program that provides homeless veterans with a
year-long rental voucher. These cuts would seriously threaten efforts by
Congress and the Obama Administration to end homelessness among our veterans,
and would leave local providers without the resources they rely on to fight
veteran homelessness.
-
Click
here for a fact sheet on Republican cuts to homeless veterans -
Click
here for state-by-state
info on this successful voucher program -
Click
here for
current state-by-state info on veterans homelessness - Click here
for video highlights of the event
“I
am extremely disappointed that the Republicans’ budget proposal slashes this
critical program that has helped so many veterans move off the streets and into
permanent housing,” said Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate
Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Conference Secretary. “We owe it
to our veterans to provide them with the resources and support they need to put
a roof over their heads. And this is just one more example of the Republicans’
reckless budget that puts politics and ideology over families, communities, and
even those who have served and sacrificed for our nation.”
“Republicans’
extreme budget proposal would halt a program that has successfully
taken 600 Nevada veterans off the streets and put them into
safe, permanent housing. If Republicans had their way, veterans like these
would be out on the streets,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry
Reid. “Homelessness among veterans is a serious problem. Our
nation’s veterans were there when we needed them, and they put their lives on
the line to protect our freedom. We owe it to them to be there when they need
us.”
“Last
night in Illinois, 2,000 homeless veterans were on the street,” Sen. Dick
Durbin, Assistant Majority Leader. “We need to make
sure that when our fighting men and women return home, they are treated with
dignity and respect they have earned. It’s time for us to reject this bragging
rights contest of who can cut the most, and focus instead on what those cuts
mean to the lives of the men and women who have served us so well.”
“We
need to make cuts, but the sacrifice must be shared. We shouldn’t balance our
budgets on the backs of veterans who have already sacrificed for our country,” said Senator
Charles Schumer, Vice Chair of the Conference and Chair of the
Democratic Policy and Communications Center.
“We
face a difficult budgetary environment where we will have to make tough choices
with limited resources,” said Senator Jack Reed. “But eliminating
$75 million that would keep 10,000 veterans from becoming homeless next year is
short-sighted and wrong. Our veterans fought for us, and we will continue to
fight for them by investing in this vital program that makes a real difference
in their lives. This is one small down payment on our important
obligation to our veterans.”
“The
House Republicans’ decision to slash funding for housing assistance to
thousands of homeless veterans shows a total lack of humanity,” said Senator
Barbara Boxer. “These cuts would be devastating to veterans in
California, which has the largest population of homeless veterans. These brave
men and women deserve the best.”
“We owe so much to those who have served in our military. Cutting
funding that is helping to keep our veterans from being homeless is no way to
express our gratitude but that is exactly what the House budget proposes,” said
Senator Ben Cardin. “We
have a moral obligation to the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform
to stop these irresponsible cuts from ever taking affect.”
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