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Dodd Supports Work Opportunity for Immigrants
Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) told the NAHB leadership on Feb. 9 that he hopes the Senate will approve a comprehensive immigration package by the end of the summer.
Speaking before the NAHB Board of Directors at its winter meeting in Orlando, Fla., Dodd said that Congress needs to enact a strong immigration policy that will provide an opportunity for immigrants to legally enter the country to work and also institute border security reforms.
“This is a big issue that we need to address,” said Dodd, who recently announced that he is a Democratic candidate for the 2008 presidential election.
Stating that it is critically important for the nation to have a vibrant housing market and homeownership rate, Dodd outlined four areas he wants to focus on as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.
First, the senator said he wants more Americans to have access to capital in order to help local communities to grow and thrive.
“Ten million citizens have never stepped into a bank or thrift,” he said.
Providing an opportunity to bring more people into the mainstream to deal with their financial needs will help to plow money back into communities, he added.
“I want to provide incentives for those who wish to invest in local communities,” said Dodd. “Nothing does more for a family than providing a decent job.”
Predatory lending is another area that will draw the attention of the Senate Banking Committee during the 110th Congress.
“Sub-prime lending is a good thing and I don’t want to confuse that with predatory lending,” said Dodd. “There’s a big difference.”
Acknowledging that he has no quick answer to solve the problem, Dodd said that he is hopeful that federal regulators will set guidelines for brokers who market these financial products.
The senator also told board members that he will be seeking a renewed commitment for several housing programs, including Hope VI, elderly housing and community development block grants.
Finally, he said that he will seek to introduce legislation that will rebuild the nation’s infrastructure in order to help the economy to continue to grow.
For more information, e-mail Michael Strauss at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8252.
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