Political Quotes

“Here we go again. Each day, the gaping wound that the government shutdown represents grows bigger, and the House Republican response continues to be these little Band-Aids. Of course, we on the Democratic side want to see all Native American programs funded. The other side knows that. In fact, this has been one area in which we have achieved bipartisan agreement. Both Chairman Simpson--and I want to particularly mention Mr. Cole on our subcommittee--I, and Ms. McCollum have tried to put as much money as possible, given very severe fiscal constraints, into Native American programs; but this bill that is on the floor today, in fact, doesn't serve its stated purpose. We are going to hear from House Republicans as to what this latest Band-Aid temporarily funds, but here are just some of the Native American programs and offices that are not funded by this resolution: Native American education programs that are funded by the Department of Education; Native American law enforcement programs that are funded by the Department of Justice, including the programs to carry out the Violence Against Women Act. That is an area in which we had achieved, finally, bipartisan agreement. This doesn't allow us the funds to carry out that program. Native American social services programs that are so important to the American Indians, particularly on our reservations, are not funded by this bill.…”