Today, Representatives Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Al Green (TX-09), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) denounced the State of Texas General Land Office (GLO) for its decision to omit the City of Houston and Harris County from receiving federal Hurricane Harvey relief funding.  These funds were originally appropriated by Congress in February 2018.

In a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the members called on Secretary Marcia Fudge to intervene, urging the agency to halt all GLO actions associated with the current State Action Plan, which is used to determine how the federal funding is distributed, and to initiate a HUD review to ensure equitable and appropriate distribution of the funding.

“GLO’s distribution of these funds that completely denies Houston and Harris County recovery funds is inexplicable.  This decision will harm many of our most vulnerable residents who have been waiting years for recovery funds, placing a disproportionate burden on minority and low-income communities who have suffered from repeated flooding events in recent years,” the members wrote.  “These actions are in direct opposition to the Congressional intent for which the funds were originally appropriated.”   

They continue: “GLO’s recent actions have raised serious doubts about its ability to be a responsible steward of these Congressionally appropriated funds.  We ask HUD to give serious consideration to whether GLO has demonstrated adequate compliance as the sole distributor of these funds under the existing rule, and we urge the department to ensure the areas worst hit by Hurricane Harvey receive the funds they were intended.  In our view, direct allocation of funds intended for Houston and Harris County should be given strong consideration at this time.”

You can read the full text of the members’ letter here.