Womack, Steve: Greetings all. You know, me being the stickler for time, the clock shows exactly four o'clock, and I will bring this subcommittee to order. Today we welcome the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Honorable Scott Turner, a Big Ten champion from a long time ago. Mr. Secretary, thank you for appearing before this subcommittee to discuss HUD's fiscal year 27 budget request. This is your second appearance before us, and I look forward to hearing about the progress you've made in the past year reforming HUD's programs and putting the department on sounder footing. We share a common goal, constraining costs, promoting housing affordability, and serving our most vulnerable citizens. HUD's fiscal 27 request is $62 billion in new budget authority, a reduction of about $15 billion below the enacted fiscal 26 level. A significant portion of the proposed savings come from eliminating programs like CDBG, HOME, and self-sufficiency initiatives, programs that enjoy strong bipartisan support among our members. Our markup may reflect some the budget request as we weigh member input. The bulk of the HUD budget is in rental assistance programs serving more than 5 million households. Many of these are elderly, disabled, and working families who depend on contract renewals and vouchers to keep a roof over their heads. You've described your approach as common-sense compassion, and I think that's exactly the right spirit. My commitment is to make sure this subcommittee gives you the tools and the funding to make that principle real for the families who are counting on it. Some of the savings in the budget request depend on authorizing proposals that will require action from the financial services committee. I trust that your team will engage with that committee and my colleague French Hill of Arkansas on those reforms. Our shared goal is to make HUD's programs as effective as possible, creating opportunity for citizens to prosper while ensuring a responsible safety net for those who need it. Mr. Secretary, the work you're doing matters. This subcommittee is a partner in making sure that we get it right. So with that, I'd like to now recognize my dear friend from South Carolina, the ranking member of this subcommittee, Mr. Jim Clyburn, for any opening remarks he would like to make
Clyburn, James E.: Thank you very much Mr Chairman Let me join you in the secretary here. Mr. Secretary, just got off the plane from Dallas. My grandson-in-law has just moved to Plano, and so I hope to get more acquainted with your section of the country. I think we all agree that housing is a basic human need. It serves as a foundation for education, health, and financial outcomes for nearly every family in America. Without a safe and stable place to live, it is difficult for families to improve educational outcomes, maintain good health, or increase their earnings and build wealth. Across the country, more than 771,000 people are experiencing homelessness, and 75 percent of low-income renters spend more...