Cedric Richmond

Affordability has to be a policy priority.

We have to get it on firm financial footing.

But I think the goal should be that where we can save money we should save money.

But everywhere we can reduce those administrative costs or the costs that the insurance companies are charging for either servicing or the commissions that they receive, we make the program more stable.

Well, that is exactly where I wanted to go because you used the term the reasonableness of compensation to the insurance companies that sell and service most of the NFIP policies.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, let me thank you, Attorney General Holder and Secretary Duncan for your support of the school discipline initiative, which I think is going to do wonders in communities across the country and curb our school…

I would like to acknowledge Administrator Pistole for his service and leadership in the wake of the tragic shooting at Los Angeles International Airport on November 1, 2013.

Before yielding back, I would like to emphasize the important work Transportation Security Officers do to protect our Nation against attack.

Undoubtedly, Federal funds and resources will be required to ensure all of the needed reforms are implemented.

It is my hope and expectation that other airports around the Nation will review the report and learn from it.

I guess the other question would be the resources and FEMA's process of evaluating non-Federally certified levees in its mapping process.

The Senate appears to be poised to approve a flood insurance reform bill that we passed out of the House last week.

I would urge that we stake our claim to jurisdiction and make sure that, that legislation--reauthorization would come before us and have your commitment to support us on that.

Mr. Allison, it is my understanding and just my opinion that everybody at the table, everybody up here, we are all on the same team.

As you all know, the work that this subcommittee does is extremely important.

I would assume that you are there because you are very good.

I guess my question is: If they are not tracking their hours and they don't adequately say what their hours are going to and what case they are assigned to and all of that, how do you feel confident in your numbers?

The report released in September 2013 by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General regarding the Office of Inspection is both alarming and scathing.

We must ensure that every office within the Transportation Security Administration is operating both effectively and efficiently.

The work that this subcommittee does is extremely important.

We have an obligation to be as efficient as we can.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further Members to speak on this bill and will close once the gentleman from Louisiana closes. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

The importance of intellectual property and copyright in the country is critically important that we understand and that we get it right.

Thankfully, Congressman Grimm and Congresswoman Waters and 132 of their colleagues have introduced bipartisan legislation to do just that.

We need Congress to call a time-out and to delay further implementation until FEMA can investigate and report back to Congress.