Political Quotes

“this is not a routine or simple bill. This is a bill of vast significance. The unfunded mandate bill, taken together with the balanced budget amendment, if both are passed and signed into law, will call for a significant reordering of priorities in government between Federal, State, and local branches. Now, I do not at this point suggest that we will prevail on the minority side, but I hope that some of the amendments we offer will be considered by our friends in the Republican majority. This bill, the unfunded mandate bill, is a basic and sound, good concept. I was happy to cosponsor legislation by the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Moran] addressing the same subject last year. But in this session of Congress, the Republicans have gone too far, too fast, and their approach is too extreme. This bill comes to the floor without a public hearing. Consider the significance of this bill and the fact that we have not invited those who will deal with it to talk about its consequences. As a result, in their haste to pass the bill, the Republicans have ignored many real health and safety problems they are going to create. The unfunded mandate bill in many ways puts the health and safety of our families at risk. This bill is about the water that flows in our streams and rivers. It is about the water our children drink and whether or not that water is going to be pure and safe. It is that basic. It is that simple.”