Maxine Waters RSS Articles

Waters Asks for Investigation into B of A Foreclosure Tactics

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, is asking for an investigation into claims that Bank of America purposefully delayed borrowers from entering the Home Affordable Modification Program.

The California Democrat penned letters to several government officials on Tuesday, asking that they to look into the allegations made in an ongoing lawsuit, which were detailed in a report by Bloomberg last week.

"It has come to my attention via a June 14th Bloomberg article I have enclosed, that employees at one of the nation's largest servicers are alleged to have 'falsified records and were told to delay U.S. loan-assistance applications by requesting paperwork that the (bank) had already received,'" Waters said in letters to Christy Romero, special inspector general of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board and Thomas Curry, comptroller of the currency.

She added: "The goal of the delay, according to the article, was to ensure that rather than receiving a HAMP modification, the borrower would be foreclosed upon. It has been noted in numerous studies that foreclosure is often the most profitable end result for a servicer that does not own the loan they are servicing. It goes without saying that this is an outright abuse of consumers and government mortgage assistance programs."

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Waters wants financial sector regulations out of EU trade talks

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

A top House Democrat is asking the Obama administration to keep the nation's financial regulations out of trade talks with the European Union.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, sent a letter on Tuesday to President Obama urging him to avoid a situation in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations that would undermine the Dodd-Frank financial rules.

“I understand that the administration is being pressured to introduce financial regulatory issues into these negotiations in a manner that could undermine those reforms and ongoing multilateral harmonization work in this area,” Waters wrote.

“I believe this would be a serious error, and I strongly urge you to reject such an approach."

Waters argues that U.S. officials have already received commitments from all Group of 20 and Financial Stability Board members to raise their standards to improved levels being implemented under Dodd-Frank.

"Parallel and potentially conflicting negotiations between the U.S. and Europe would be counterproductive," she wrote.

"These are not uniquely bilateral issues, and it is crucial that we maintain a multilateral focus so that all of the countries in the G-20, not just EU members, implement these commitments in a globally consistent manner."

She said those talks are expected to be completed on a faster timeline that the U.S.-EU deal, which could take upward of two years. Several European leaders, including British Prime Minister David Cameron, are pressing for a faster resolution, down to about a year.

"We would be ill advised to delay that progress. I urge you to keep financial regulatory areas subject to other negotiations out of the TTIP process," Waters wrote.

Michael Froman, the president's nominee to become the next U.S.Trade Representative, said during his confirmation hearing earlier this month the Dodd-Frank financial law will not be watered down in any trade talks.

"There's nothing that we are going to do through a trade agreement to weaken our financial regulation, to roll back Dodd-Frank or to roll back the efforts that the administration and Congress have worked on for the last four years to reform our financial regulatory system here and to work through the G-20 and other mechanisms to raise the standards around the world,” Froman said.

On Monday, President Obama joined EU leaders during the Group of Eight summit in Northern Ireland to announce the start of negotiations for the week of July 8 in Washington.

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Congresswoman Waters' Statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of Medgar Evers

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) released the following statement in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights activist Medgar Evers, who was 37 years old when he was killed by a sniper’s bullet on June 12, 1963:

"Today marks 50 years since the assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. The horror of Mr. Evers’ untimely death made national news, galvanized the nation and pushed the Civil Rights Movement forward.

"After being named the NAACP’s first Field Secretary for Mississippi in 1954, Mr. Evers spearheaded local efforts to enact social change. In the particularly oppressive racial climate of Mississippi, Mr. Evers organized boycotts of businesses that denied services to African-Americans, set up new chapters of the NAACP and led voter registration drives. His murder was a loss to his family, the state of Mississippi and to the entire nation.

"I was pleased to join my dear friend, his widow Myrlie Evers-Williams, former President Bill Clinton, and many others last Wednesday at a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate his life and legacy. Although his life was cut short, it was clear to all that Mr. Evers did not die in vain. Today, Myrlie works to continue her husband’s legacy through the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute.

"I thank Medgar Evers for his courage, dedication and resolve in the face of virulent racism. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that ‘before the victory of justice is a reality that some may even face physical death.’ To no one is this quote more applicable than to Medgar Evers, whose death compelled this nation forward on its march towards justice and equality for all citizens."

Pictured (from left to right): Medgar Evers' daughter Reena Denise Evers-Everette; Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43); Former President Bill Clinton; Evers' widow Myrlie Evers-Williams; and youngest son James Van Dyke Evers.

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Congresswoman Waters Recognizes 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) released the following statement in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, which was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy on June 10, 1963.

"As a longtime advocate for the advancement of women throughout society, it is my honor to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act of 1963. This landmark law established the principle of equal pay for equal work for women in the workforce throughout the United States. In 1963, women made just 59 cents for every dollar earned by men, and this law was a critical first step to correcting this injustice.

"Today, our fight for equal pay for equal work is not yet complete. Fifty years later, women still make just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. For African-American and Latina women in our workforce, the pay gap is even larger. African-American women earn just 64 cents and Latinas just 55 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. We have certainly made progress as a nation, but for too many in our society, not enough has changed over the last 50 years.

"Achieving equal pay for equal work has been one of my top priorities since I began my career in public service, and there is still more to be done. I voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which restored a woman’s right to fight pay discrimination. In the 110th and 111th Congresses, I co-sponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act, which is a much needed update to the Equal Pay Act that has never been strengthened or updated over the last 50 years.

"According to the Pew Research Center, a record 40 percent of households are now headed by mothers who are the primary breadwinners for their families. Equal pay is more than just a women’s issue – it is both a family issue and an economic issue. On this important anniversary, with a considerable pay gap still existing between men and women, let us all recommit to work together until we have achieved an America where women are truly paid equal pay for equal work."

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Waters Applauds Passage of Bipartisan Amendment to Delay Flood Insurance Rate Increases

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, made the following statement yesterday on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Ranking Member Waters called for bipartisan support to an amendment, offered by Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) that would delay implementation of Section 207 of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, and provide relief for many homeowners across the nation facing significant increases in their flood insurance premiums. The amendment, which Ranking Member Waters co-sponsored, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 281-146.

As prepared for delivery:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I rise in support of this amendment offered by the gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. Cassidy. I am pleased to say that my colleagues, Mr. Cassidy and Mr. Richmond and I have worked to address this important issue in an ongoing, bipartisan way.

The national flood insurance program was created in 1968 after record flooding led the private sector to abandon the flood insurance market and stop writing flood policies. The program is a key component of the federal government’s efforts to minimize the damage and financial impact of floods. It is the only source of insurance against flood damage for most residents and provides much needed coverage for 5.5 million homeowners and their families.

This is why I worked across the aisle with my colleague, Rep. Judy Biggert, to reauthorize this program. Before this reauthorization, the flood insurance program was plagued by repeated lapses in authority, placing many local communities at risk. During those lapses, FEMA was not able to write new policies, renew expiring policies, or increase coverage limits, causing great uncertainty for millions of homeowners who depend on the program’s existence.

The Biggert-Waters bill was instrumental in stabilizing the flood insurance program. It provided a five year reauthorization and made critical improvements to the program. The reforms in Biggert-Waters give communities more input into flood maps, and strengthen the financial position of the flood insurance program. In drafting this bill with then Chairwoman Judy Biggert, I sought to strike the right balance between protecting homeowners and strengthening the flood insurance program. This law was intended to reauthorize the flood insurance program in a sustainable way. The intent was not to impose punitive or unaffordable rate hikes that could make it difficult for some to remain in their homes.

This is why I am extremely concerned about reports that homeowners in certain areas are facing high and unsustainable flood insurance rates. I have committed to work with FEMA and with my colleagues here in Congress to address this unintended consequence of this otherwise helpful legislation so I am supporting the gentleman’s amendment today. This would prohibit FEMA from using funds made available in this Act to implement one provision from Biggert-Waters that has raised an unintended consequence and requires further study before being implemented.

While the gentleman’s amendment is a positive first step in addressing this issue, more needs to be done.

Last month, my friend from Louisiana, Mr. Richmond, and I introduced H.R. 2199, the Flood Insurance Implementation Reform Act of 2013, a bill, on which Mr. Cassidy is an original cosponsor, that would take additional steps to provide meaningful relief and address the issue of affordability. The bill would delay implementation of changes to grandfathered rates, the subject of Mr. Cassidy’s amendment, for three years instead of one. It would also delay implementation of rate changes that FEMA is currently rolling out.

I look forward to continuing to work with my friends on both sides of the aisle to ensure that Biggert-Waters Act is implemented in a balanced way to ensure the flood insurance program’s stability and affordability. FEMA’s current implementation schedule could upset that delicate balance and unintentionally impact families and local communities. For these reasons I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 2199, and to also vote “aye” this amendment.

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Congresswoman Waters' Statement on TSA Reversing Decision to Allow Knives on Planes

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, released the following statement in support of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) decision to cancel its proposal to allow small knives on planes:

"I stood firmly in opposition to TSA's proposal to allow small knives into the passenger cabins of planes, and I am pleased that TSA Administrator John Pistole has permanently abandoned this dangerous proposal. It seemed apparent from day one that this plan was wrong, and I am heartened that after consultation with travelers, airline employees and other stakeholders, TSA has arrived at the same conclusion.

"Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located in my Congressional District. LAX is the sixth busiest airport in the world, and the third busiest in the United States. In a post 9/11 world, it is crucial that we maintain the highest levels of safety and security. In March, I joined more than 140 of my House colleagues in a letter to Mr. Pistole, in which we asked him to stick to the current rules that prohibit knives and certain sporting equipment from being brought on planes. In April, I joined a coalition of flight attendants, pilots, law enforcement and passengers at an LAX rally to oppose the proposed plan.

"TSA's decision to maintain the ban on knives on planes is the correct decision and a victory for anyone who works in or passes through LAX, and airports around the country."

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Maxine Waters embraces role as top Democrat on powerful financial committee

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Maxine Waters has settled into her new job. This term, the L.A. Congresswoman became the ranking Democrat on the powerful House Financial Services Committee. The appointment came after a three-year fight to clear her name on banking-related ethics charges.

Waters waited a long time for the position — 22 years. She says when she first came to Congress, "People were fleeing the old banking committee because of the [savings-and-loan] scandal and nobody wanted it."

Waters notes: "I stayed, I worked, I've learned, and I've earned the seniority."

With Republicans in charge of the House, Waters admits her ability to get things done is limited. But she still has a to-do list: reform of the quasi-governmental mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, boosting construction of residential rental property, and defending the landmark financial oversight law known as Dodd Frank.

Waters says the resistance isn't just from Republicans. She says banks are pushing back on Dodd Frank by making it tough for consumers to get loans and mortgages, "because they want to show us that we've got to work with them."

Marcus Stanley, policy director for the watchdog group Americans for Financial Reform, says Waters is under "a lot of lobbying pressure from some very powerful and big money interests" that want her to support bills that Wall Street favors.

Stanley says the top Democrat on Financial Services plays an important role for bills that Wall Street wants to see passed: " The feeling is that if she supports them, it's going to be easier to pass them into law, to get them through the Senate, and to get the President approving them."

That lobbying pressure from Wall Street comes with campaign cash. In the 2010 election cycle, Waters received nearly $60,000 in campaign contributions from the finance, insurance, and real estate sector. Last year, those industry contributions more than tripled.

So far, Stanley says, Waters has withstood industry pressure and voted against several bills in the past couple of weeks that would have weakened Dodd Frank.

Many doubted that Waters would even remain in Congress, let alone rise to leadership on Financial Services. After the banking meltdown in 2008, the L.A. Democrat was accused of using her committee clout to help a minority-owned bank in which her husband owned stock.

A meltdown within the House Ethics Committee itself strung out the investigation for three years. But finally, in late 2012, the committee cleared Waters of any wrongdoing. Waters says she was never frightened, never felt like a victim: "I was in control because I knew that I had not violated anything. And so I knew that I would be vindicated. I just didn't know when."

Waters says it's corny, but she got into politics believing she could help people. Growing up in a family of 13, she saw how a lack of access to jobs and resources hurts people. Serving on Financial Services, she's dealt with Wall Street, where big decisions are made that affect people further down the financial ladder.

"If I can translate what I've learned and what I'm seeing," Waters says, "that will create some fairness for people, that's what drives me."

Waters gets high marks from Angela Canterbury from the Project on Government Oversight for trying to address revolving door issues at the Securities and Exchange Commission and protections for whistle-blowers.

"I would say she's been absolutely terrific," Canterbury says. But she notes Financial Services is one of those committees where political polarization can create a standoff between Democrats and Republicans. So far, Canterbury says she's seen real collegial work between Waters and the GOP chairman of the committee, Texas Republican Jeb Hensarling.

"When they disagree," says Canterbury, "she's been standing up for her principles."

Waters says, contrary to expectations, she's getting along just fine with Hensarling. They're even working together on a bi-partisan bill to help community banks.

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Ranking Member Waters Joins Sen. Blumenthal, Rep. Capps to Urge Obama Administration to Protect Surviving Spouses from Foreclosure

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Ranking Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Lois Capps (D-Calif.), in sending a letter to eight executive agencies urging them to protect surviving spouses from foreclosure. This segment of the homeowner population – often women in their later years – faces unique circumstances that unfairly deprive them of opportunities to avoid losing their home.

"Surviving spouses throughout the country have found themselves in this troubling situation, including in our states," Waters, Blumenthal, and Capps wrote. "These individuals, who also may be struggling with responsibility for medical bills, funeral costs, and other expenses while adjusting to a loss of income, are trapped without a means of preventing the loss of their homes."

There are various unique circumstances that can cause surviving spouses to lose their homes to foreclosure. For example, surviving spouses whose names do not appear on the mortgage loan for their home must assume the loan in order to remain in the home. However, banks usually require payments to be up-to-date in order for a survivor to assume the loan. If the survivor cannot afford the required payments, banks will often refuse to negotiate loan modifications with them, treating them like strangers instead of partners to the deceased. In the letter, Waters, Blumenthal, and Capps provided examples from their respective states.

"One Connecticut woman was part way through the foreclosure mediation process when her husband died, " Waters, Blumenthal, and Capps wrote. "Her husband was the only borrower on the loan, and after his death, the bank moved to terminate the mediation process because she was technically no longer eligible for mediation. She is now attempting to assume the loan, but there is no guarantee that she will be able to do so."

Waters, Blumenthal, and Capps sent the letter to the following executive agencies: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Reserve, U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. All of these agencies deal with various aspects of the foreclosure process.

"We urge each of your agencies to use all powers at your disposal to ensure that financial institutions provide surviving spouses with full information about a loan, as well as help them to assume mortgages if they seek to, avoid foreclosure, and stay in their homes," Waters, Blumenthal, and Capps wrote. "In addition, as your agencies implement legal settlements with homeowners who were wrongfully foreclosed upon, we ask that you examine the eligibility of surviving spouses for the legal redress to which their late partners may have been entitled. We request that you provide us with a written response describing any efforts that your agency has already made to address this issue and specifying the actions that you will be taking to provide relief to surviving spouses."

Text of the letter is below:

Dear Director Cordray, Secretary Donovan, Acting Director DeMarco, Chairman Gruenberg, Comptroller Curry, Chairman Bernanke, Secretary Lew, and Secretary Shinseki:

As you are aware, homeowners over the age of fifty are currently entering foreclosure at a faster rate than any other age group in the country. We are writing regarding one segment of this population: individuals facing foreclosure after the death of a spouse. These surviving spouses, often women in their later years, can face unique circumstances that unfairly deprive them of opportunities to avoid foreclosure.

For example, surviving spouses whose names do not appear on their home’s mortgage loan must assume the loan in order to remain in the home. However, banks usually require payments to be up-to-date in order for a survivor to assume the loan. If the survivor cannot afford the required payments, banks will often refuse to negotiate loan modifications with them, treating them like strangers instead of partners to the deceased. As a result, survivors unable to make payments are left without options that would enable them to avoid foreclosure. These individuals, who also may be struggling with responsibility for medical bills, funeral costs, and other expenses while adjusting to a loss of income, are trapped without a means of preventing the loss of their homes.

Surviving spouses throughout the country have found themselves in this troubling situation, including in our states. One Connecticut woman was part way through the foreclosure mediation process when her husband died. Her husband was the only borrower on the loan, and after his death, the bank moved to terminate the mediation process because she was technically no longer eligible for mediation. She is now attempting to assume the loan, but there is no guarantee that she will be able to do so.

Another woman in California, in the wake of her husband’s death, missed a single payment on a mortgage that had only been in his name. After complying with the loan servicer's six-month payment plan, the regular monthly payment increased by $1,500.00 a month and the woman attempted to initiate a loan modification. So far the widow has not been able to obtain a loan modification or remove her deceased husband's name from the mortgage.

We are pleased that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau specified in its mortgage servicing rules that servicers should facilitate communication with the successor of a deceased borrower. However, this is only a first step. We urge each of your agencies to use all powers at your disposal to ensure that financial institutions provide surviving spouses with full information about a loan, as well as help them to assume mortgages if they seek to, avoid foreclosure, and stay in their homes. In addition, as your agencies implement legal settlements with homeowners who were wrongfully foreclosed upon, we ask that you examine the eligibility of surviving spouses for the legal redress to which their late partners may have been entitled.

We request that you provide us with a written response describing any efforts that your agency has already made to address this issue and specifying the actions that you will be taking to provide relief to surviving spouses. We would be interested to learn if the current legal framework is sufficient, or if legislative changes would be necessary or helpful in assisting these individuals. We look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

Richard Blumenthal
United States Senate

Maxine Waters
Member of Congress

Lois Capps
Member of Congress

Congresswoman Waters Applauds Approval of Leimert Park and Hindry Rail Stations

Thu, 30 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) issued the following statement regarding the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's vote to build Leimert Park and Hindry rail stations on the Crenshaw/LAX line:

"I am pleased that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) voted last week to include light rail stations on the Crenshaw/LAX Corridor at Leimert Park and Florence & Hindry.

"Over the years, I have fought for the inclusion of light rail stations in Leimert Park and at Florence & Hindry on the Crenshaw/LAX line. I visited Metro and met with Metro leadership to discuss the importance of these stations, and I urged Metro to seek federal funding for their construction. On Capitol Hill, I introduced legislation to increase federal funding for the TIGER program, which provides grants for transportation infrastructure projects like the Crenshaw/LAX Corridor. I also circulated a letter to the House Appropriations Committee, signed by 113 of my colleagues, requesting $500 million for this program in 2014, and urged the Department of Transportation to provide TIGER grants to Metro to finance these stations.

"Most recently, I sent a letter to the Los Angeles City Council in support of a motion to provide $40 million to build the Leimert Park stations and $15 million to build the Hindry station. After my letter was distributed to the Council members, the Council passed this motion, and Metro subsequently agreed to provide an additional $80 million to fully fund both stations.

"Leimert Park is one of the rich cultural destinations of Southern California. Popular among both residents and tourists, it is home to art galleries, bookstores, restaurants, live music, theater, ethnic clothing stores, and African artifacts. A station in Leimert Park will ease traffic congestion, stimulate the local economy, and facilitate access to this vibrant community.

"A Hindry station on the Crenshaw/LAX Corridor is especially important to the Westchester community. Without this station, Westchester residents would not have direct access to light rail. This station will also be vital for the 600 military veterans who are residents of the U.S. Vets facility in Inglewood. Most of these veterans rely on public transportation, and it will be difficult for them to walk all the way to Century Boulevard to board a train.

"I look forward to continuing my work with Metro to ensure that this corridor receives strong federal support and serves all of the communities of the area."

Congresswoman Waters Urges United Nations to Commit Resources to Eradicate Cholera in Haiti

Thu, 30 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a strong advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S. Congress, sent a letter today to the Honorable Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, expressing concerns about the lack of progress in responding effectively to the Haitian cholera epidemic. The letter urges the Secretary General to use his office and his influence to ensure that the United Nations takes responsibility for the introduction of cholera into Haiti and commits an appropriate level of resources to support cholera response efforts. The letter was signed by 19 Members of Congress. The text of the letter follows:

As congressional friends of the people of Haiti, we are deeply concerned about the lack of progress by the United Nations, given its likely role in the introduction of cholera into Haiti, in responding effectively to the Haitian cholera epidemic.

The cholera epidemic in Haiti is one of the largest cholera epidemics in modern history, and it has already taken a devastating toll on the people of Haiti. The Haitian government has estimated that there have been 656,321 cases of cholera and 8,090 deaths from cholera since the epidemic began in October of 2010. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation infrastructure continue to exacerbate the impact of the disease.

There is considerable evidence that the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission in Haiti, is responsible for introducing cholera into Haiti. The cholera outbreak began shortly after the arrival of a group of MINUSTAH peacekeepers from Nepal, which was already experiencing a cholera outbreak. The first cases of cholera in Haiti appeared near the Artibonite River, just downstream of the Nepalese peacekeepers’ camp, and the strain of cholera that is ravaging Haiti is an exact match to the strain of cholera that was active in Nepal. Prior to this outbreak, there had been no known cases of cholera in Haiti in at least a century.

We are concerned by the United Nations’ rejection of the claims made by 5,000 Haitian cholera victims and families of victims, who sued the United Nations demanding compensation, a public apology, and a nationwide response to the cholera epidemic. Given the evidence, the victims’ demands for compensation and a public apology are not unreasonable, and a nationwide response to the epidemic is long overdue.

We appreciate the United Nations’ December 2012 endorsement of the Hispaniola Initiative, which was launched in January of 2012 by the Presidents of Haiti and the Dominican Republic to improve clean water access, develop sanitation infrastructure and address the cholera epidemic. As you know, the Hispaniola Initiative requires $2.2 billion in funds for Haiti and another $70 million in funds for the Dominican Republic over the next 10 years. However, we are dismayed that the United Nations has committed only $23.5 million for this initiative. That is a mere one percent of the total funding required to fund the initiative in Haiti, alone. It is also less than four percent of the $648 million that the United Nations is spending on MINUSTAH this year. Given the pivotal role that MINUSTAH is believed to have played in the introduction of cholera into Haiti, it is imperative that the United Nations take the lead in responding to the crisis and funding the Hispaniola Initiative.

We therefore urge you to use your office and your influence to ensure that the United Nations takes responsibility for the introduction of cholera into Haiti, commits an appropriate level of resources to support the Hispaniola Initiative, and takes immediate and appropriate action to assist the Haitian government with the implementation of this initiative. We appreciate your attention to our concerns, and we look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Maxine Waters
Barbara Lee
Yvette D. Clarke
Frederica S. Wilson
Jan Schakowsky
John Conyers, Jr.
Alcee L. Hastings
Charles B. Rangel
Corrine Brown
Donald M. Payne, Jr.
Bobby L. Rush
Wm. Lacy Clay
Raúl M. Grijalva
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
John Lewis
Gregory W. Meeks
Donna F. Edwards
Keith Ellison
Carolyn B. Maloney