Statement of Administration Policy: S. 562 - Housing Programs Extension Act of 1997

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(House)

(Sen. D'Amato (R) NY and Rep. Lazio (R) NY)

The Administration has no objection to the majority of the program extensions in S. 562 and the provisions of the bill designed to protect participants in the HUD's reverse mortgage program from unnecessary or excessive mortgage costs charged by unscrupulous companies.

The Administration, however, is concerned about the provisions of S. 562 that would extend a multifamily housing restructuring demonstration and renew section 8 contracts at levels above fair market rents. These temporary extensions are a costly approach to the multifamily housing problem.

Pay-as-You-Go Scoring

S. 562 would affect direct spending; therefore, it is subject to the pay-as-you-go requirement of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1990. OMB's scoring estimate of the bill is under development. If S. 562 is enacted with direct spending increases in FY 1998 that are not offset during the remainder of this session of Congress, a pay-as-you-go sequester would be triggered at the end of the session.