I am extremely sympathetic to the Iranian people on the ground, the innocent civilians and citizens who are at the mercy of the leadership of the Iranians in charge and the U.S. Government.

The Major Drug Trafficking Prosecution Act of 2009 goes to the root of the problem by creating a more just system.

I reintroduced the Major Drug Trafficking Prosecution Act, H.R. 1466, to end mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses.

This bill restores discretion to judges and allows them to make individualized determinations.

we had to confront that very issue when we imposed sanctions against the apartheid regime in South Africa.

I certainly think that this committee can play an important role in creating the public policy that deals with Iran.

I was the author in the State of California of the divestment legislation that divested our pension funds from businesses that were doing business in South Africa.

I think given the state of their economy at this time, which is in terrible shambles, that this will further cause them to have to think about whether or not they are going to completely disable their entire economic sector.

We must reinvest in our public housing stock to ensure that this housing of last resort is always available to those who need it most.

a budget should be more than just a list of programs and dollar amounts--it should reflect our values as a Congress.

I thank Chairman Spratt and the Members of the Committee for allowing me to testify on this important legislation.