Veteran Housing Act of 2007

[Meir]

Veteran Housing Act of 2007
Introduced by MK Rafi Meir

Introduction:
To direct the Minister of Defense to establish a pilot grant program to acquire and renovate abandoned homes for homeless veterans.

Bill:
(a) Establishment.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Minister of Defense shall commence a pilot grant program to assess the feasibility and advisability of awarding grants to eligible entities to purchase and renovate abandoned homes for homeless veterans.

(b) Grants.—

(1) AWARD.—In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Minister shall award grants to eligible entities to purchase and renovate abandoned homes for homeless veterans.

(2) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—The amount of a single grant awarded under paragraph (1) shall not exceed $1,000,000.

(A) There is established in the Treasury a fund to be known as the “Veterans Homelessness Grant Fund” (in this paragraph referred to as the “Fund”).

(B) The Minister shall deposit into the Fund the payments collected by the Minister under paragraph (3)(D).

(C) Amounts deposited into the Fund pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be available to the Minister to carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) without further appropriation. The Minister may not use such amounts from the Fund for any other purpose unless pursuant to a specific provision of law.

(f) Duration.—The Minister shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) during the three-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program.

(h) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Minister a total of $25,000,000 to carry out the pilot program under subsection (a).

Law Enactment:

The Law shall be enacted and in force once the Knesset as passed the law and upon the Presidents signature.

[Ben]

Order,

The Prime Minister will make his opening statement.

Speaker of the Knesset.

[Meir]

Madam Speaker,

This goal is an endeavor that should enact bipartisan throughout this chamber. I can't give a more pressing open statement than giving this an immediate passing in the Knesset.

[miriam]

Isaac Herzog, Labour Defence Spokesperson.

Madam Speaker, whilst we in Labour recognise and acknowledge the honourable intentions of this Bill, we must ask whether or not this Bill will further promote settlements that contravene previous international agreements?

[Meir]

Madam Speaker,

Once again Labor presents opposition to a bill that would provide homes for homeless veterans, shame, shame, shame! Unless the member magically saw housing developments in the West Bank within the bill, I fail to see how this question is even relevant.

[miriam]

Isaac Herzog, Labour Defence Spokesperson

I am somewhat confused, Madam Speaker, by the Prime Minister's response. What is with the confrontational manner? Why is he being so belligerent? There is no need for it. I ask a simple question that required a simple answer.  In fact, I do believe I started my question by stating Labour recognised the good intentions of this Bill.

We simply, Madam Speaker, asked for clarification on certain points of the Bill.  The Prime Minister's hysterical reaction suggests that he has something to hide.

[Meir]

Madam Speaker,

The member can obviously read the bill can he not? The bill states nothing about settlements but yet the member asked about settlements? Is the member even reading the bills that this government presents?

[miriam]

Isaac Herzog, Labour Defence Spokesperson

Madam Speaker, I would suggest that the Prime Minister calms down.  He is getting slightly hysterical.  When he gets into such a state he forgets that his government is very much reliant on other parties to help his legislation pass.  His continued rants and attempts to insult the Members of this honourable establishment, serve only to make him look childish and pathetic.

If I must repeat Labour's stance on this Bill then I will........and I will emphasise it for the Prime Minister's benefit.  LABOUR SUPPORTS THIS BILL.  WE SIMPLY SEEK CLARIFICATION.

If the Prime Minister can take a breath, calm down and listen to what is actually being said, could he responds to our concerns?

[Meir]

Madam Speaker,

I again ask, did the member even bother to read this bill? Point of order Madam speaker, I believe the member calling me childish and pathetic are insults.

[Ben]

Order,

The Prime Minister will remain seated.

There is no point of order and no justification for a point of order, The Hon. Prime Minister will remember that he HIMSELF has used worser words such as childish and pathetic.