The Nation - News from June 22, 1988

A compromise bill to put teeth into the country’s basic fair-housing law seemed assured of passage after garnering support from traditional enemies, ranging from real estate agents to civil rights groups and liberal Democrats to President Reagan. The bill would give the Housing and Urban Development Department the power to bring actions on behalf of individual victims of discrimination, would ban discrimination against the disabled and would forbid limitations on renting to families with children, except in clearly defined retirement communities. House and Senate leaders from both parties at a news conference predicted the House would pass the bill today or Thursday and final congressional approval would come within six to eight weeks. Reagan sent word through House Minority Leader Robert H. Michel (R-Ill.) that he considers the compromise bill “a significant step forward.” The compromise, to be offered as an amendment to the original House Judiciary Committee bill, will permit either side in a housing discrimination action to demand a federal jury trial.