On the recordMay 29, 2014
I thank my good friend and colleague from Illinois, who has been a real leader on this issue. Mr. Chairman, like Congresswoman Bustos, I rise in opposition to this amendment today. This amendment would harm our economy and would add greater stress to our prison system as well. Iowans and Illinoisans have waited for years for a solution on the Thomson Correctional Center. For too long, politics in Washington-- which I think is on display again tonight, unfortunately--got in the way of creating jobs in our region, and for me, it is in eastern Iowa. It is a type of partisan game that really must end. And I do appreciate the comments from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this. The Thomson prison will bring more than 1,000 new jobs at a time when families badly need them and will spur economic development in our region. Money for this facility was included in the FY14 omnibus bill that we just passed in January, and it makes no sense to me to prevent progress on a facility that we just voted to enhance 4 months ago. In addition to those economic benefits, I hope that I don't need to remind my colleagues of the fact that we have a capacity problem in our Nation's prisons. The problem only grows worse when we intentionally prevent more facilities from operating. And, again, while I understand the arguments that have been made tonight against it, those folks will not come here.
