Political Quotes

“let me begin by first commending the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. Callahan] and the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Wilson] for presenting the House with, on balance, another fine bill. The bill continues the downward trend in foreign aid by reducing this bill some $450 million below last year's appropriated level. Others talk deficit reduction, these gentleman, like their predecessors, Mr. Obey and Mr. Livingston, deliver real spending reductions. We owe them a lot for that. Before I explain my amendment, let me also join my colleagues in expressing appreciation to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Wilson] for his years of service in this House. Whether Charlie is riding a camel with bandoleers of ammo over him in some country that 95 percent of us cannot pronounce or whether he is up in the full committee working through, he has made an excellent, positive contribution to this House and to this country. Charlie, we are going to miss you. The House simply will be not be the same without you. I offer this amendment because I am very concerned about the proposed funding level for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. In less than a year we have reduced Eximbank funding from $786 million, to $744.5 million through recision, to $726 million in this bill. I think this sends a terrible signal to our exporters and a worse signal to foreign governments. Frankly, I would not support the existence of the Eximbank if world markets were truly free and open.”