LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who represents the Detroit area, is back in the headlines with a proposal that critics say reads less like legislation and more like a late-night comedy sketch – complete with sweeping promises and a hefty price tag.
A “Bill of Rights” wish list.
Tlaib’s re-introduced “Unhoused Persons Bill of Rights” non-binding resolution, first introduced by former Democratic Missouri Rep. Cori Bush, lays out a long list of protections for homeless individuals, including the right to camp, panhandle, and avoid enforcement actions tied to loitering or sleeping in public spaces.
The proposal also calls for “freedom from harassment” not just by police, but by businesses, property owners and everyday residents – while framing efforts to restrict homeless individuals from certain areas as violations of their “fundamental civil and human rights.”
That’s a significant shift from current law and runs headlong into a recent Supreme Court decision that gave cities more authority to crack down on public camping.
$168 billion taken from defense department spending.
Perhaps the boldest part of the plan is the price tag. Tlaib suggests redirecting at least $168 billion from defense spending to tackle homelessness nationwide.
How exactly that money would be spent? That part’s a little fuzzy. The proposal outlines broad goals – more housing, more services – but not a detailed financial and logistical roadmap for getting there.
However, in her statement, Tlaib also calls for directing the usual stream of federal taxpayer dollars to NGOs and community activist groups, backing “historic” funding levels for state and federal programs serving the homeless 24/7 – including shelters, transitional housing, public restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, hand-washing stations, water fountains, and other support services coordinated through grassroots and community-led organizations.
Big promises, bigger questions.
Tlaib calls housing a “human right” and argues the federal government has enough money to nearly end homelessness within a few years. Critics say the proposal goes far beyond compassion, giving homeless individuals expanded rights and protections while taxpayers and business owners are left footing the bill for what they see as a radical and deeply flawed plan.
