Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding me the customary 30 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition--I might add, reluctant opposition--to the rule on two important bills that really shouldn't be controversial: the Senate amendments to H.R. 2250--that is a short-term continuing resolution. It shouldn't be necessary. This body should have acted, but given that the body has not passed through regular order an appropriations process to keep government open, that bill is necessary--and the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. H.R. 644, which is often called the Customs bill, is a bill that needs to pass in some form. I want to see it pass. I have voted for it to go to conference. It has a lot of provisions that are extremely important to many Members, to our economy, and to even Americans traveling casually overseas. It increases, finally, the amount of items they can buy as gifts for their friends and then bring back without having to pay duties. But looking at the version that we are considering today under this rule, which does not allow amendments, I think the body would be better taking individual votes on some of the provisions. There is a lot of good in this bill, but there is also a blatant attack on climate science, on environmental protection, and, really, items that serve no purpose in a bill written to facilitate trade.…”