October 20, 1965
PAGE 27550
DEBATE ON THE SALTONSTALL AMENDMENT TO REDUCE FUNDING FOR THE RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM ENACTED IN THE HOUSING BILL.
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, in the authorization bill approved by the Senate earlier this year and signed into law was a 4-year rent supplement authority of $150 million a year. The administration had requested $30 million for fiscal year 1966.
The Senate committee cut that to $12 million, which is less than 10 percent of the total amount authorized over the 4-year period.
This is a program which was thoroughly considered in the Committee on Banking and Currency. It was thoroughly discussed the last time it came before the Senate in the authorization bill. It was thoroughly considered in the Appropriations Committee. This figure, conceding now that we have authorized the bill, represents, it seems to me, a modest beginning -- a prudent beginning, prudent being a word which the Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. SALTONSTALL] and I both recognize, coming from New England.
Twelve million dollars is a prudent beginning toward the implementation of a program which has been thoroughly discussed and approved prior to this time.
Therefore, Mr. President, I urge the Senate not to go back on the votes it has already cast for the authorization, and that it turn down the pending amendment.