Political Quotes

“I support the Hoyer Amendment. I applaud the gentleman for offering it, and I support it wholeheartedly. His amendment unfortunately is just too extreme. The Burton amendment would cut 25 percent from the operating expenses of AID. A cut of that magnitude would almost certainly result in a shutdown of the agency by next summer or perhaps earlier. That means the child survival programs, disaster assistance and food aid program would be halted before the end of the year. Shutting down operations would not allow AID to oversee and implement the $8 billion in funds obligated but not yet expended. It could lead to tremendous waste and abuse, which is exactly what the gentleman from Indiana does not want to happen. The agency has already made major cuts in its staffing. The 8,750 on-board work force level planned for October 1, 1996 is 18 percent below the level at the end of fiscal year 1993. More personnel cuts can and will be made, but such cuts need to be made and they will be made. It would be irresponsible to force such a draconian cut in the personnel account of this agency.”