Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I want to begin by congratulating Chairman Graves on his maiden voyage as a chair of an appropriations subcommittee. I know that he was diligent and focused, and we found agreement where we could, and where we could not agree, I appreciate his willingness to discuss it in a congenial and thoughtful manner. Today, we consider the smallest of the appropriations bills; and, while that is the case, it is one that does fund an entire branch of our government. The bill provides, as the chairman mentioned, $3.3 billion to the legislative branch, without Senate items, and is equal to the amount provided in fiscal year 2015. Unfortunately, this represents the third year in a row of flat funding for the overall legislative branch. Certain agencies--the Architect of the Capitol and the Government Publishing Office--are cut below fiscal year 2015 to support increases in other agencies. I know if there was overall relief in the budget allocation, we would see more investment in the staff and facilities in the legislative branch, but we are starting to cut into bone in some places, and it is truly unwise. It is regrettable that this bill is, as are all of the other appropriations bills, bound by spending limits set by the Republican budget resolution that continues sequestration. The President put forward a plan that will avoid sequestration's harmful budget cuts and reduce the deficit in a balanced way.…”