Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, gave the following statement at the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance virtual hearing entitled, “Flexible Federal Funding: Examining the Community Development Block Grant Program and Its Impact on Addressing Local Challenges.” 

Thank you very much, Chairman Cleaver. I want to start by saying how much I appreciate how you have drawn from your experience as a Mayor to dive deep into the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, and to provide leadership on needed reforms. I want to emphasize some reforms you and I have talked about -- how members of Congress can get their concerns addressed. Also there are concerns about some of the non-entitlement small jurisdictions that may need to apply for entitlements. I am worried about them because I have been hearing from our members. And so, I am very pleased that CDBG serves as an important, flexible funding resource for communities across the country, helping to build homes, repair streets, support local small businesses, and provide meals to seniors. I appreciate the leadership you’re taking on examining ways to strengthen and expand this important program. 

I have long supported CDBG. I will continue to support CDBG, not just by increasing funds, but with these reforms that you and I have talked about. So, I will yield back the balance of my time.

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