Political Quotes

“I first came to Capitol Hill in 1984 during Ronald Reagan's first term. I believe it was Chairman Hatfield running the committee on the Senate side and Jamie Whitten on the House side. I care very much about the appropriations process and the Appropriations Committee because I think we spend less with a higher degree of transparency when we consider appropriations bills in regular order, as this one now is. This bill funds our veterans programs and our military construction needs mainly for the Active-Duty and Reserve Americans who wear the uniform--or wore the uniform--upon which all of our freedoms and the independence of our country depends. Today, there are over 20 million veterans, and this bill cares for them in a bipartisan way. We owe these veterans just about everything--for our independence and freedom--and this bill cares for them. Now, why, in this difficult and partisan time, is this bill coming up in this way? Why is it that we have every Republican on the subcommittee and the full committee in favor of this legislation? It is because the chairman made the decision, that I strongly supported, to mark to the House level. When we marked to the House level, we opened the door for full bipartisan support for this needed bill. We present to the Senate this bill for full consideration, taking into account all of the requests of Members in their budget submission.…”