Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.1133 - Repeal Community Development Block Grants Act of 2025 (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R. 1133, the "Repeal Community Development Block Grants Act of 2025," proposes to amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 by abolishing specific grants related to community development. The bill targets Section 101 and Sections 103 through 122 of Title I of the 1974 Act. The intended effective date for these changes is October 1, 2025.

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 7, 2025, by Mr. McClintock, with Mr. Weber of Texas as a co-sponsor. It was subsequently referred to the Committee on Financial Services for further consideration.

The main objective of the bill is to eliminate certain grants currently allocated for community development initiatives.

Expected Effects

If enacted, H.R. 1133 would result in the cessation of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) as authorized under the specified sections of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. This would likely lead to a reduction in funding available for local community development projects.

States and localities would need to find alternative funding sources or scale back existing programs. The impact would vary depending on the reliance of individual communities on CDBG funding.

Potential Benefits

  • Potential reduction in federal spending and government debt.
  • Could encourage more localized and private-sector driven community development initiatives.
  • May streamline government processes by eliminating grant programs.
  • Could lead to increased scrutiny of existing community development programs, potentially identifying inefficiencies.
  • Could spur innovation in community development through alternative funding models.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Loss of funding for community development projects, potentially impacting low-income communities.
  • Reduced ability of local governments to address housing, infrastructure, and social service needs.
  • Potential negative impact on economic growth in areas reliant on CDBG funding.
  • May exacerbate existing inequalities and disparities in access to resources.
  • Could lead to a decline in affordable housing options and community services.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill's alignment with the U.S. Constitution is primarily related to Congress's power to tax and spend for the general welfare, as outlined in Article I, Section 8. The Constitution grants Congress broad authority to allocate funds, including the power to repeal existing grant programs.

However, the potential impact on social equity and the general welfare could raise questions about whether the repeal aligns with the spirit of promoting the general welfare as stated in the Preamble. The bill itself does not violate any specific constitutional provision.

Ultimately, the constitutionality of the bill would likely depend on whether it is viewed as a reasonable exercise of Congress's spending power.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).