Mark Souder: “I would first like to thank Government Reform Chairman Tom Davis and Ranking Member Henry Waxman for working with us in…”

“I would first like to thank Government Reform Chairman Tom Davis and Ranking Member Henry Waxman for working with us in the Drug Policy Subcommittee and gaining their support and assistance in passing this bipartisan bill. It is tough to pass bipartisan bills, particularly major legislation like this, at this time of year and in general. This authorization program is multiyear, $530 million directly and hundreds of millions more in some programs that were added to the original ONDCP bill, and to do something like that unanimously and have it be worked through both bodies has been an incredible accomplishment and an adventure. I would also like to thank Judiciary Chairman Sensenbrenner, as well as the minority, for waiving the right to go to the Judiciary Committee. I know that is rare, but in our negotiations with the Senate, we had multiple changes over the last few days, and that was a very important waiver. His staff and the staff of Senator Specter in the Senate have been very important allies in moving this bill. Also Senators Grassley, Biden, Leahy and Levin have made multiple changes in this bill in the last few days, all of which I think have helped improve this bill. I very much appreciate the bipartisan spirit with which we are trying to pass anti-drug legislation.”