On the recordDecember 19, 2012
I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, particularly my friend, Mr. Clay. It is not often that we get to come here as a committee and talk about something that, in fact, affects perceived government cronyism and misconduct, a law that protects the American people against politics getting into your government, and then say, but we need to reduce it a little. We need to make it a little tighter. This is an example where, as many of my colleagues have said, unintended consequences have made a good bill into a bill that stifles the opportunity and legitimate political activity that occurs by people serving in State and local office. So I join with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, with my good friend from the District of Columbia, and say this is the time in which we're making small technical changes that make a big difference to our political landscape around the country, and in a good way. We want to make sure that we have the opportunity to have everyone participate, and I want to thank Members of both parties for bringing this bill. And I want to particularly thank my colleague, Mr. Cummings, for his effort throughout the entire Congress to get us where we are here today.
