Political Quotes

“At this time, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon, Peter DeFazio, the ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee. Mr. DeFAZIO. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, this irresponsible, unnecessary, politically motivated government shutdown is unacceptable for all Americans, but it is particularly offensive to those in Indian Country. The government's trust obligation to the tribes is not a discretionary act; it is a fiduciary responsibility. To assume that money associated with that fiduciary responsibility can be bartered or used as a political football is more than insulting. It is another example here of tabloid legislating, ripping issues from the headlines and trying to legislate based on negative public reaction to just some part of the Republican government shutdown. It is kind of like a game of Whac-A-Mole, where an issue pops up and the far right pretends to care suddenly--Gee, we didn't know this would happen if we shut down the government--and they draft a continuing resolution to cover it--or their posteriors. Now, where was all of this concern for the tribes when sequestration kicked in? Where is the compassion for the poverty faced by our first Americans every day, not just when it is politically expedient? Where has the compassion been to address the high rates of unemployment, educational challenges, access to resources, challenges tribal people face every day, challenges that have only been made worse by the Republican sequester?…”