Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman of the subcommittee, as well, for his work and leadership on this bill today and yesterday. We voted long into the morning this morning, and certainly appreciate his time and consideration. The appropriations bills before us present an opportunity to provide oversight that is one of the most important duties and functions of this Congress, to make sure that we are looking at the ways our Federal Agencies, our administration is spending money and making sure that it is carried out properly. One of the areas where I believe this Congress needs to further its oversight and step up its oversight concerns the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's asset forfeiture fund. This is money that is comprised of fines paid by individuals who violate the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The act, as many Members know, is the primary law governing fish management in our Federal waters, and it is responsible for managing fisheries, promoting conservation, producing bycatch, and ending overfishing. The money in NOAA's asset forfeiture fund can only be used for express purposes that are laid out in statute, such as paying costs associated with providing any temporary storage of property seized during civil or criminal proceedings, paying off valid liens or mortgages against forfeited property, or reimbursing any Agency that assisted NOAA in enforcing the law.…”