Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 1559, the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2003. While I believe that it is a tragedy that the Republican Leadership in the House did not allow the Democrats to offer an amendment to include funding to support critical first responder and other homeland security needs, we have no choice to vote for this bill to support our brave men and women now engaged in hostilities in Iraq. My support for this bill does not mean, however, that I will not continue my fight with my like-minded colleagues to provide additional funds to enhance the security of Americans at home. We urgently need to address vulnerabilities in our ports, borders, transportation system and other critical infrastructure, and we need to augment our first-response by way of training, equipment and communality of communications, in reinforce counter-terrorism and other capabilities. As Ranking Member on the Committee on House Administration, I am pleased that this bill includes funds to address the needs of several Legislative Branch agencies under my Committee's jurisdiction.”