Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie today fended off several Republican attempts to kill the Native Hawaiian Housing program, contained in the larger Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The program provides loan guarantees for people who cannot find regular home mortgages because they’re building on designated Hawaiian Homelands, and block grants for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands to build roads and utility lines for affordable housing in the Homelands.   

“This has never been a partisan issue until this year,” said Abercrombie, who was joined by Rep. Mazie K. Hirono in speaking for the Native Hawaiian housing program.  “I am very disappointed that opponents attack the need and legitimacy of these initiatives, which offer assistance to Native American and Native Hawaiian families who are dealing with unique circumstances and problems.” 

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) argued that the legislation, first approved by Congress seven years ago and recommended for funding every year by the Bush Administration, is unconstitutional.  Westmoreland claimed that Native Hawaiians are a racial group rather than an indigenous ethnic group, and that they have never been part of a sovereign nation.

Abercrombie cited the Admissions Act making Hawaii the 50th state: “Within the law which admitted Hawaii to the Union in 1959 is an explicit recognition of the State of Hawaii’s responsibility for the maintenance of a public trust for ‘the betterment of the condition of Native Hawaiians.’  This Act today is one way we comply with that law.”

The bill was approved by the House on a 333-75 vote.

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