This week, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, led a group of House Democrats to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) headquarters to personally deliver a letter signed by 122 House Democrats to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner. In the letter, the lawmakers demand immediate answers regarding the reported infiltration of HUD by Elon Musk's so called DOGE agency personnel, raising serious concerns regarding looming mass staff terminations, conflicts of interest, and breaches of Americans' personal data.
After Members of Congress were turned away by HUD staff, the Congresswoman and Democratic Members of Congress, including Reps. Cleaver (D-MO), Velázquez (D-NY), Beatty (D-OH), Tlaib (D-MI), Garcia (D-TX), Horsford (D-NV), Balint (D-VT), Tokuda (D-HI), Jackson (D-IL), Davis (D-IL), Ansari (D-AZ), and Senator Van Hollen (D-MD), joined fair housing advocates, and HUD staff members – some of whom were recently dismissed amid growing tensions and uncertainty at the agency – to address Secretary Turner from outside of the building:
Congresswoman Waters and Congressional Democrats sounded the alarm on.
- Cuts to federal housing support: Termination of 780 housing agency staff as part of a plan to slash HUD’s workforce by at least half and shut down local field offices—threatening critical housing and homelessness assistance for millions of Americans.
- Worsening housing crisis and the important role of HUD: The national housing crisis has reached crisis levels, with rising homelessness and declining access to affordable housing disproportionately affecting people of color, families with children, veterans, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and disabled Americans. HUD's role is more vital than ever to build more affordable homes, offset skyrocketing rents, end homelessness, and revive the dream of homeownership for all.
- Data security breaches: Elon Musk’s DOGE personnel have reportedly obtained access to personally identifiable data containing Americans’ sensitive information, including personal information for sexual assault victims.
- Legislative solutions: Congresswoman highlighted her landmark housing bills which include the “Housing Crisis Response Act,” the “Ending Homelessness Act,” and the “Downpayment Toward Equity Act.” Together, these bills represent the single largest and most comprehensive housing investment in our nation’s history.
Congresswoman Waters reaffirmed her commitment to protecting HUD and its employees from Musk’s hostile DOGE takeover. Monday’s event is the latest action as part of a broader effort led by Congresswoman Waters and Committee Democrats to resist an all-out campaign by President Trump and his unelected co-President billionaire Elon Musk, to dismantle key government agencies and harm millions of American families.
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