Political Quotes

“I think it is interesting that my colleague believes the EPA is now a law enforcement agency and wants them fully funded, particularly in light of the fact that so many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle were for defunding the local police, disarming the local police. Yet, they want the EPA to be able to have anti-tank weapons. They want them to have unmanned aerial assets. This is like a military operation, not a law enforcement operation. Mr. Chairman, if someone is violating a regulation that the EPA has imposed upon them, they can use Federal marshals if they need that, and there is no prohibition against EPA agents being able to carry sidearms or even rifles, if it is necessary. I would like for someone to explain to me why the EPA needs anti-tank weapons. Who do they think they are protecting the environment from? I really appreciate the concerns of my colleague, and I wish they had the same concerns about local law enforcement that they do about militarizing Federal agencies. I urge my colleagues to think long and hard about what is going on with the Federal agencies, and I urge each one of them to support this amendment. It is a sensible amendment, and it puts things in the right priority. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer). The amendment was agreed to.…”