Political Quotes

“Thank you, Ranking Member Thompson, for yielding your time and for your leadership on the Homeland Security Committee. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5913, the Department of Homeland Security Accountability Act of 2012. As the ranking member for the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigation, and Management, I was pleased to work with Chairman McCaul and serve as the original cosponsor of this measure. I appreciate the bipartisan discussions that led to the introduction of the amended version we adopted at the subcommittee level, which is the version being considered today. {time} 1650 This bill goes to the heart of the subcommittee's mandate, which is to ensure the effective management of the Department of Homeland Security. Ensuring the effectiveness of the Department of Homeland Security is not a partisan matter, and it should serve as a priority as it is essential to our security and safety in this country. Since its inception, the Department of Homeland Security has faced significant management challenges, many of which stem from the very nature of its creation, which was transforming 22 legacy agencies into one cohesive, unified department. To its credit, the Department has come a long way since its inception, but more work remains to be done. The consideration of this bill comes at a time when Congress is examining cost-saving and revenue-generating measures to reduce our deficit while ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens.…”