WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today called on Congress to oppose efforts by the Bush the Administration to eliminate the successful Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as part of a plan to consolidate several economic and community development programs. The Bush Administration has proposed cutting CDBG funding and transferring the program to the Department of Commerce, which has limited experience in community development, housing and supportive services. Last month the Senate voted in support of an amendment to the Budget Resolution bill to fully fund the CDBG program and not move the program from HUD. The Budget Resolution is now in a Conference Committee between the Senate and House of Representatives. The United States Senate has declared its support for Community Development Block Grants but the fight is not over. We must continue to work to ensure that this and other programs are not cut and remain part of HUD, Reed stated. CDBGs have been overwhelmingly successful. By cutting the program, the Administration is abandoning local communities in Rhode Island and across the country that are working to revitalize neighborhoods and spur economic development.In March, Reed wrote a letter signed by 56 of his Senate colleagues to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee urging the Committee to reject the Presidents proposals. Several projects in Rhode Island have benefited from CDBG funding including 17 Gordon Avenue in South Providence, the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation, the North End Housing Rehabilitation program in Westerly, the East Providence Waterfront Redevelopment and Newport Heights.In 2004, the CDBG program marked its 30th Anniversary. One of the most effective Federal domestic programs to revitalize neighborhoods, CDBG provides vital funding to more than 1,000 communities and all 50 states to spur economic development, to provide affordable housing needs and to undertake other community development activities that benefit low and moderate-income individuals. For fiscal year 2005 Rhode Island will receive $19,164,880, including $1.1 million or Cranston, $1.5 million for Woonsocket $2.3 million for Pawtucket and $6.4 million for Providence. East Providence will receive $889,000 Warwick will get and $979,000.