Political Quotes

“I thank my colleague from Florida for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in opposition to the structured rule. While the unemployment numbers are now at their lowest point in 3 years, the American people know that our economy is still teetering. That's why it's important for Democrats and Republicans to come together around commonsense proposals. This underlying bill, the Civilian Property Realignment Act, stemmed from President Obama's proposal in his FY 2012 budget, and I'm glad that Congress is beginning its deliberative process on this important issue. Currently, the Federal Government owns and manages over 1 million Federal buildings and structures--including many in my home State of Colorado--which costs over $20 billion a year annually to operate and maintain. This bill seeks to ensure our government is a better steward of taxpayer dollars by improved utilization and management of surplus properties and the elimination and monetization of unnecessary assets to reduce our deficit. Building on President Obama's proposal contained in his FY 2012 budget, this bill sets up a process to consolidate, sell, or exchange Federal Government assets it no longer needs. Sounds like common sense, but it hasn't been done yet. As the President identified, an estimated 14,000 buildings and structures are currently designated as excess properties.…”