Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for the opportunity to talk about this important legislation. Before I get started, I do want to thank the chair of the subcommittee, Mrs. Napolitano; the ranking member, Mr. Rouzer from North Carolina; Chairman DeFazio; and Ranking Member Sam Graves as well. I do want to thank some of the other partners from Louisiana we worked with, Congressman Steve Scalise, former Congressman Cedric Richmond, and Congressman Troy Carter, who all worked with us on this important legislation. Madam Speaker, Lake Pontchartrain is one of the largest saltwater lakes in the United States. It is incredibly productive. It is a productive ecosystem. There is much fishing, shrimping, and crabbing and oysters that are produced there. As a matter of fact, since 1997, over 40 million pounds of blue crabs have been produced almost annually. The secret, Madam Speaker, if you can keep this between the two of us, is that much of that is actually headed to Maryland restaurants to improve Maryland crab cakes. That is right. Just don't tell anybody. They also put spice on the outside of the shells. It is really confusing what they do. The meat is on the inside. But in any case, Madam Speaker, this is a huge watershed. It is about a 10,000-square-mile watershed, that comprises 16 parishes and four Mississippi counties, into this lake.…”