Political Quotes

“I do commend the gentlemen from Texas and Pennsylvania for their attention to border security. Border security is a top priority with this subcommittee and with this chairman, but the amendment that is before us at this time proposes to cut the Department of Homeland Security to pay for cell towers to provide phone service, actually to the general public. I am very sympathetic to the needs of rural communities. I represent a rural community and am certainly sympathetic to remote ranchers, but this is simply not a cost currently with the situation in this country that Homeland Security can bear. This proposal would cut the Department's management functions below what is possible for our Nation's security. The bill already cuts the Office of Under Secretary for Management 4 percent below the request of the President and 11 percent below the FY12 level. It should be noted that this bill fully funds the Department's tactical communications. I would urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”