Housing and Hypocracy on the Right

Conservative Republicans have saddled a housing bill with a poison pill provision aimed at curbing political participation by the homeless. The amendment would prohibit organizations that do any voter registration work from receiving grants from a new Affordable Housing Fund.

This provision is particular repellant considering the increasing reliance of the right on voter registration drives by conservative churches. Rod Parsley pretends that restrictions on his tax-exempt church's political activities are an assault on his first amendment rights, but Parsley's fellow travelers have no problem with preventing homeless advocates from helping their clients register.

Our local representatives could benefit from some contact. Contact Sherrod Brown or Tim Ryan and tell them to oppose these restrictions in HR 1461.