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Norton Amendments to Prevent States from Racially Profiling and to Increase Section 8 Housing Vouchers to be Considered by Rules Committee, Today

September 5, 2017

Norton Amendment to Eliminate Subsistence Fees in Federal BOP Halfway Houses to be Considered Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the House Rules Committee is scheduled to consider amendments to the fiscal year 2018 Transportation, Housing And Urban Development Appropriations bill, including her amendments to prohibit states that receive federal transportation funding from engaging in unconstitutional profiling based on physical characteristics and another to increase funding for Section 8 tenant-based vouchers by 1 percent, or $187 million, today, Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. in H-312 (U.S. Capitol). The Rules Committee tomorrow is scheduled is consider amendments to the fiscal year 2018 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill, including Norton's amendment to prohibit the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) from carrying out the law that requires individuals in halfway houses and on home confinement to pay a subsistence fee to offset the cost of being housed or supervised. District of Columbia Code felons are the only local felons housed by BOP and are subject to the fee when in halfway houses.

Norton has had success in the past with her racial profiling amendment, which was unanimously passed by voice vote on the House floor and was included in the fiscal year 2015 omnibus appropriations bill, which was signed into law in December 2014. Norton's other two amendments are new this Congress.

"With these amendments, I am asking the House to get to work on several national issues that also affect D.C. and need national attention," Norton said. "My affordable housing and subsistence fee amendments have particular significance for D.C. residents. Affordable housing is out of reach for most D.C. residents today and my modest amendment asks the House to show it understands the need for action. My subsistence fees amendment would relieve an unfair and too heavy-to-bear cost on inmates returning from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Out of prison and without a job, returning citizens have no ability to pay counterproductive subsistence fees while they are living in halfway houses, any more than they paid for their subsistence while at the BOP. I am urging the Rules Committee to make in order these important provisions for a full House floor vote."