Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 216, S. 1147. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 1147) to prevent tobacco smuggling, to ensure the collection of all tobacco taxes, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill which had been reported from the Committee on the Judiciary with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS; PURPOSES. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009'' or ``PACT Act''. (b) Findings.--Congress finds that-- (1) the sale of illegal cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products significantly reduces Federal, State, and local government revenues, with Internet sales alone accounting for billions of dollars of lost Federal, State, and local tobacco tax revenue each year; (2) Hezbollah, Hamas, al Qaeda, and other terrorist organizations have profited from trafficking in illegal cigarettes or counterfeit cigarette tax stamps; (3) terrorist involvement in illicit cigarette trafficking will continue to grow because of the large profits such organizations can earn; (4) the sale of illegal cigarettes and smokeless tobacco over the Internet, and through mail, fax, or phone orders, makes it cheaper and easier for children to obtain…”