Congress Stories | Community Development Digest

Aging-in-Place Bill Given Poor Chance, But Raises Public Awareness

Despite its bipartisan appeal in an otherwise seriously polarized Congress, the proposed Senior Accessible Housing Act (HR 5254) has only about a 3 percent chance of being enacted this year and just a 7 percent of making it out of House ways and Means Committee, according to government sources. Even so, the measure serves to elevate aging-in-place -- once considered to be merely a niche issue for architects and housing developers -- to national prominence.

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Housing Reform Bill Goes to Obama for Signing

The bill’s primary thrust is an expansion of project-based Section 8 housing vouchers. The change comes in advance of the major HUD expansion of project-based housing under the department’s Rental Assistance Demonstration initiative.

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McCaul Introduces Bill Authorizing More Money for First-Responders

Under the bill, first responders would be able to apply for grants to prevent, prepare for, and respond to active shooter situations, including lone-wolf attacks and other terror attacks.

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Sen. Lee’s Measure Pushes Block Grants for Housing Programs

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) crafts the proposed Welfare Reform & Upward Mobility Act designed to transform most federal housing programs into housing block grants to states.

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Senators Seek Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Expansion

Senate Finance Committee Chair Orrin Hatch (R-UT) joins with Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to offer a change to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.

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House Commerce Committee OKs Pipeline Safety Bill

The legislation contains targeted mandates for the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to increase transparency and accountability, complete overdue regulations, and improve pipeline safety.

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King Cove Controversy Airs Before Senate Panel

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), chair of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, conducted the oversight hearing highlighting the continuing lack of dependable emergency medical transportation in the remote, mostly-Native community.

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House Votes to Exempt Small ISPs from FCC Order

The House of Representatives has unanimously approved HR 4596, the proposed Small Business Broadband Deployment Act, a measure authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), chairman of the Energy & Commerce’s subcommittee on Communications & Technology. The measure was approved on a bipartisan vote of 411-0.

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Pipeline Safety Legislation Advances to Full Committee

The House Energy and Power Subcommittee has unanimously approved a discussion draft of the Pipeline Safety Act of 2016 to the full committee for consideration.

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Subcommittee Approves Two Broadband Measures

The Communications and Technology Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), has approved two bipartisan proposals aimed at improving access to wired and wireless broadband for all Americans.

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