Political Quotes

“reserving the right to object, when I spoke to Senator Toomey about this issue, it personally struck a chord with me. I recognize that we have had this same debate in the Appropriations Committee. Its champion in the committee is Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, who has at least for 2 years, or maybe longer, suggested the change the Senator from Pennsylvania brings to the floor. I think he made a compelling argument, and I voted with him for the change he wished to see in the law. We did not prevail in the Appropriations Committee--at least didn't prevail in changing the budget rules--but Senator Lankford, with his effort in the committee, has prevailed in changing the allocation of funds. The amendment Mr. Toomey, the Senator from Pennsylvania, offers creates a new point of order against any CJS appropriations bill if it doesn't spend at least the 3-year average of collections in the Crime Victims Fund. There is good news. Because of Senator Lankford's effort and the support of Senator Shelby, which the Senator from Pennsylvania noted, the amendment is not necessary. Since fiscal years 2015 through 2018, the CJS appropriations bill has spent at least the 3-year average of collections--a total of $12.4 billion--which has been returned to crime victims. So we have, in fact, changed the budget policy that governs how the Crime Victims Compensation fund is distributed.…”