Political Quotes

“Certainly. To return to my point, Mr. Chairman, I think first of all, it is important for Members to understand that the language of the amendment is already the language of existing law. We have already told agencies to establish a policy or program under appropriate circumstances for the waiver of civil fines. That language, I think if now reenacted, would make this bill almost meaningless, and I think it is important for Members to understand that this bill, as written and as introduced and brought here by the committee, covers first-time paperwork violations. And it seems to me quite clear that when you understand that we are leaving in place the ability to punish the underlying substantive offense, the underlying violation of the law, and when we are only talking therefore about the paperwork violation, that is, the failure to file the paperwork from which one might discover the underlying violation, I have a difficult time seeing the problem and a difficult time accepting an amendment which would gut that. But beyond that, it is very important to understand that what this legislation does is it applies to first-time violations only. When we think of the businesses across America, no business can start business and exist and be profitable with the heavy paperwork burdens they have, and have to file literally dozens, if not hundreds, if not thousands of these forms, and there was plenty of testimony before the committee about the paperwork burden.”