Press Releases

(Washington, DC)--Congressman Al Green (TX-09) today voiced his concern over flooding in the wake of Monday's storm.  The storm, which at times rivaled the intensity of Tropical Storm Allison, flooded at least 265 homes in Harris County with two inches to two feet of water.  It was due to this concern that Green requested and helped secure funding in both the Fiscal Year 2006 and 2007 appropriations bills in Congress for projects to increase flood protection at the Sims Bayou and Brays Bayou.  He also announced the allocation of a $6 million grant to the Harris Count

(Washington, DC)--Today, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) sent a bipartisan letter to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan that calls on UN member states to fully fund the World Food Programs (WFP) Emergency Operation in Sudan.  The United States, a supporter of the WFP, has met its financial commitment to the program, however, other UN member states have failed to meet their obligation.  As a result, the WFP has been forced to cut rations by half.  50 Members of Congress joined Congressman Al Green in signing the letter.

(Washington, DC)--The House Financial Services Committee yesterday passed an amendment sponsored by Congressman Jim Ryun (KS-02) and Congressman Al Green (TX-09) to require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to treat the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) given to service-members the same as civilian Section 8 vouchers when determining residency eligibility in affordable housing units.   The Ryun-Green provision was amended to H.R. 5443, the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act.  The amendment passed the committee unanimously by a voice vote.

(Houston, TX)--Congressman Al Green (TX-09) today urged students and parents to consolidate federal student loans before July 1, 2006, when interest rates on outstanding loans are expected to rise to the highest rate in six years.  Consolidation enables students and parents to combine their separate loans into one loan and lock in a low fixed interest rate, saving borrowers thousands of dollars over the life of their loans.

(Washington, DC)--Congressman Al Green (TX-09) yesterday joined several of his colleagues on the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) at a press conference to discuss the findings of a new study that was conducted by the Center for Responsible Lending.  The report confirms that the highest cost home loans are much more likely to go to borrowers of color than to their white counterparts.  Other members attending the press conference included Representatives Mel Watt (NC-12), Barbara Lee (CA-09), Artur Davis (AL-07), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07)

(Washington, DC)--Congressman Al Green (TX-09) today filed an amicus brief together with Congressman Barney Frank (MA-4) and 60 other Democratic Members of Congress in the case of Watson v. FEMA, challenging FEMAs decision to cut off emergency housing assistance to 50,000 low-income evacuees of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on May 31, 2006.

(Washington, DC)--Congressman Al Green (TX-09), along with the support of several House Science Committee Democrats, introduced legislation aimed at increasing math and science interest and opportunities for inner city students. HR 5458, a bill to authorize a National Science Foundation (NSF) competitive grant program for establishing or expanding math and science camps in urban areas, would allow middle and high school students the opportunity to participate in these all expenses paid camps during the summer.

(Washington, DC)--Congressman Al Green (TX-09), today, in a statement on the House floor expressed his support for an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill that would protect access to the Food Stamp Program.  The amendment prohibits state agencies from making operational changes to the Food Stamp Program that would increase by 20 percent the volume of applications submitted by mail, phone, or internet.  Texas and Florida have implemented such changes as a means of saving money, and several other states are considering similar measures.