News From Congressman Engel

Engel Announces $412,111 to Help NYC Prepare for the Zika Virus

     Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, announced $412,111 in federal funding to help New York City thwart the spread of the Zika virus. The State of New York will receive an additional $474,016.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has allocated a total of $25 million to help states, cities and territories mount strong responses to the Zika virus. This funding can be used to purchase needed resources, such as screens and mosquito repellant, and to help local health officials identify cases of Zika and organize response activities.

“Now that mosquito season is upon us, it is critical that our City and State be ready to detect local Zika infections, launch prevention campaigns and link infected New Yorkers with the services they need,” Engel said. “While these awards will provide significant support to New York, more federal assistance will be necessary to launch a comprehensive response to the Zika virus.

“Federal agencies need these resources to conduct vital research, manage mosquito populations, and educate the public about this public health crisis. While House Republicans have been content to sit on President Obama’s emergency funding request and put forward inadequate funding packages laden with partisan riders, House Democrats have fought for a robust federal response that would address the threat of Zika head-on. I will continue fighting to get this kind of response through Congress.”

Engel to HUD: Extend “reverse mortgage” option to co-op owners

    Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, called on Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro to issue regulations swiftly to allow co-op owners to take part in HUD’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program.

“While Congress extended the reverse mortgage option to co-op owners through the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, HUD has not issued the regulations needed to execute this section of housing law,” Engel said.  “I spoke to Secretary Castro last week, and followed up with a letter, urging him to issue regulations so that co-op owners can also take advantage of this program.”

If you are 62 or older and own a private home or approved condominium, you may qualify for a “reverse mortgage” though the HECM program. This option permits homeowners to convert a percentage of the equity in their home into cash. That sum, along with interest and other necessary payments, does not need to be repaid until the home is sold or the owner passes away.

“Reverse mortgages are a valuable tool for older Americans,” Engel said. “Through the HECM program, homeowners can put the equity in their home towards medical care and other major living expenses. It just makes sense that those who own co-op units ought to be afforded this option. I hope that HUD will act quickly to carry out this section of the law, as Congress intended, and allow co-op owners to realize this significant benefit.”

The full text of Congressman Engel’s letter to Secretary Castro is below.

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July 1, 2016

Julián Castro

Secretary

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

451 7th Street SW

Washington, DC 20410

Dear Secretary Castro,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me on June 27^th. I am writing to follow up on our conversation regarding reverse mortgages.

As you know, if you are 62 or older and own a private home or approved condominium, you may qualify for a “reverse mortgage” though the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program. This program allows homeowners to convert a portion of the equity in their home into cash.

Congress has allowed those who own units in a residential cooperative housing corporation – or “co-op” – to participate in this valuable program through language in P.L. 106-569 and P.L. 110-289. Specifically, the HECM statute states:

 The term “mortgage” means a first mortgage or first lien on real estate, in fee simple, a first or subordinate mortgage or lien on all stock allocated to a dwelling unit in a residential co-operative housing corporation, or a first mortgage or first lien on a leasehold.

Despite Congressional action on this issue, and the considerable benefits that this program could bring to older co-op owners, HUD has not yet issued regulations to implement this portion of the statute. I am writing to request that HUD expedite this process and issue these needed regulations as soon as possible.

Again, thank you for taking the time to discuss this issue. I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Eliot L. Engel

Member of Congress

News From Congressman Engel

Engel and House Democrats Win Key Vote to Restrict Confederate Flags in National Cemeteries

    Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce, voted in favor of a Democratic proposal yesterday to limit the display of Confederate Flags in national cemeteries. House Democrats plus a minority of House Republicans joined to approve the measure with a vote of 265-159.

“The Confederate Flag is a symbol of hatred and bigotry that only serves as a reminder of our country’s darkest days,” Congressman Engel said. “Displaying the Confederate Flag is divisive, especially in national cemeteries – sacred ground for Americans of all creeds and colors. It’s time we confined the Confederate Flag to history, where it belongs. I’m disappointed that so many of my Republican colleagues opposed this measure, but the fact that it passed shows that the vast majority of Americans are ready to retire this terrible symbol, and I hope the vote spurs even more jurisdictions across the country to end its use as an official government display.”

Engel Blasts Republicans For Anti-LGBT Vote

    Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement in response to today’s shameful maneuvering by Republicans to defeat a Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney Amendment to a spending bill that would have barred federal contractors from getting government work if they discriminated against the LGBT community:

“The Republican majority should be ashamed of themselves. The House of Representatives stood ready to fight back today against discrimination targeting LGBT workers, but the majority bullied, twisted arms, and used procedural tricks to change the outcome of a fair vote in real time on the House Floor.

“Republicans seem unable to help themselves. At every turn, they go out of their way to strip rights away from LGBT Americans. It’s obvious where their priorities lie. I’m tremendously disappointed they decided to go to such extreme lengths today to make life that much harder for so many Americans.”