Pelosi: Republicans Use Housing Bill to Erect Unacceptable Barriers to Americans’ Right to Vote

Pelosi: Majority Uses Housing Bill to Erect Unacceptable Barriers to Americans’ Right to Vote

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. â€" House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in opposition to Republican provisions in H.R. 1461, the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005, which impose restrictions to the eligibility requirements for non-profit organizations and faith-based groups applying for grants:

â€Å"Unfortunately, right-wing Republicans in the House hijacked what had been a bipartisan bill in an effort to strip away the housing fund. When the conservatives were not able to completely get rid of it, they limited its use by blocking non-profit organizations and faith-based groups, who engage in voter registration with their own funds, from even applying for grants to build affordable housing. There are no similar restrictions on ‘for-profit’ organizations.

â€Å"This is not fair. As Catholic Charities has pointed out: ‘Encouraging citizens to exercise their right to vote is an integral part of the Catholic Church’s religious and moral mission and reinforces individual responsibility for the common good…Catholic Charities agencies should not be forced to choose between affordable housing funds and fulfillment of their religious mission.’

â€Å"It is unacceptable to force a poisoned choice on these entities: to help fill critical housing needs or to exercise their basic civic responsibilities. Most importantly, it is an unacceptable barrier to Americans’ right to vote.

â€Å"Our democracy depends on protecting the right of every American citizen to vote â€" and to register to vote â€" in every election. As the Supreme Court noted: ‘No right is more precious in a free country than that of having a voice in the election of those who make the law, under which, as good citizens, we must live.’

â€Å"Under this chilling precedent, this bill creates barriers to the right to vote that undermine 40 years of progress. No church, no religious order, no faith-based group or non-profit organization should face the prospect of being deemed ineligible for money to help low-income, elderly, or disabled individuals find affordable homes simply because they offer a full range of services, including counseling, clothing, mentoring, and helping people fulfill their right to participate in their government.

â€Å"Today, the House rightfully honors the life of the late Rosa Parks. Unfortunately, instead of using the opportunity in this bill to recommit ourselves to the ideals of equality and opportunity that Ms. Parks fought for, the Majority has once again chosen to employ a cynical, political strategy of division.”