Tom Tancredo: “Mr. Chairman, I have a feeling that regardless of what happens with this amendment, even if it were to pass, that my…”

“Mr. Chairman, I have a feeling that regardless of what happens with this amendment, even if it were to pass, that my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan), will be able to enjoy a very pleasant retirement on the beaches. The fact is that, of course, we are not talking about anything here that is going to eliminate the beaches of the Nation. It is just crazy to suggest that if we would allow the administration to go back to a 35-65 split, that, all of a sudden, all the beach property in this Nation is gone. Nobody would take care of it. The communities that live alongside of it, the homes that are built alongside of it, it is not their responsibility; it is somehow ours, and if we did not kick in 65 percent, it all disappears. Of course, that is not accurate. It is not what this amendment is intended to do, but it is typical. I know any time we are trying to cut 10 cents out of the budget around here, it is almost the most dire consequence we can possibly think of that we use in response to the request to cut the funds. This is not even a request to cut. We will still spend the money; it is just who is going to be responsible for it. It is not even mandating that we go to the 65-35 split, 65 local. It is saying let us let the administration have the option of managing this.”