Political Quotes

“I am happy to join Senators Thompson and Voinovich and a bipartisan group of our colleagues in introducing the Federalism Accountability Act of 1999. The bill would require an explicit statement of Federal preemption in Federal legislation in order for such preemption to occur unless there exists a direct conflict between the Federal law and a State or local law which cannot be reconciled. Enactment of this bill would close the back door of implied Federal preemption and put the responsibility for determining whether or not State or local governments should be preempted back in Congress, where it belongs. The bill would also institute procedures to ensure that, in issuing new regulations, federal agencies respect State and local authority. Mr. President, we want to ensure that the federal government works in partnership with our State and local government colleagues.”