Political Quotes

“This bill has fundamental problems. Number one, the flood insurance provisions that are in this legislation are provisions that are related to flood insurance. The current program expires on December 9. Why are we dealing with this one component right now? I agree that this bill passed the House unanimously previously, but it has fundamental problems advancing in a vacuum outside of the larger reform. And mark my words: this provision is going to result in the insolvency of the Flood Insurance Program much faster. It is going to increase the debt of the United States. Watch. I promise this is going to happen, and I am looking forward to talking about this more later. Number two, Mr. Speaker, explain to me the difference between a flood victim in Texas, a flood victim perhaps in Florida, and one in Louisiana. Explain to me how those are any different. We had a 1,000-year flood in my community just last year. We introduced legislation to provide this same tax relief to our citizens. Why are Texans better? I don't understand that. Now, look, I want to be clear. I think that Texas deserves--the hurricane victims absolutely deserve tax relief, there is no question, as do the victims in Florida, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere--the victims of Harvey, Irma, and Maria. But I don't understand this discrimination, and I certainly can't go back home and explain it or defend it. This is absurd.…”