Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 3321, the America's Cup Act of 2011. This legislation will allow officially competing and support vessels of the America's Cup to have a waiver from the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. Since 1851 the America's Cup has been one of the sporting world's premier events. Taking place this year in my home state of California, the America's Cup will generate an estimated $1.2 billion in economic activity and create 8,000 jobs, activity and employment that California sorely needs. Unfortunately, I was unavoidably detained during the floor vote on this bill and was unable to cast my official vote in support of the measure. If I were present at the time of the vote, I would have proudly cast an ``aye'' vote to provide race participants the waiver they need to further the excitement, pageantry and traditions of the America's Cup. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Womack). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3321. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 387, nays 2, answered ``present'' 1, not voting 43, as follows: [Roll No.…”