Christopher Shays: “I rise in support of any legislation that would prevent the exploitation of children. I also rise in support of the…”

“I rise in support of any legislation that would prevent the exploitation of children. I also rise in support of the unfunded mandate bill and in opposition to this amendment. I rise in opposition to this amendment because it simply is not needed, because the concerns of the gentleman from California and the gentlewoman from California have been addressed. This bill, the mandate bill, says very simply that there has to be an estimate of cost to the private sector and to the public sector. If there is not an estimate of cost, then a point of order can be raised. If there is an estimate of cost, and it is over $100 million for the private sector and $50 million for the public sector, a point of order can be raised if no money is provided, but a simple majority can override the point of order. The same majority that is needed to pass the bill, the same simple majority, can also be the same simple majority that can override the point of order. This amendment is not needed, Mr. Chairman, as were many of the amendments that preceded this. The concerns of the gentleman have been protected in this mandate bill.”