Political Quotes

“I recognize the concerns of the Senator from Oklahoma. His amendment has good intentions by seeking to find ways to reduce duplication for all Department of Justice, DOJ, grants to State and local governments and nonprofit organizations. I agree with the Senator from Oklahoma that we need to pinch every penny. However, as chairwoman of both the Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, CJS, I must oppose the amendment. It directs the Justice Department to develop and implement a plan that eliminates, consolidates or streamlines seemingly similar existing grant programs to find at least $780 million in savings. Then, regardless of whether or not duplication in grant programs is identified, $780 million would be automatically rescinded for deficit reduction, unless DOJ chooses to redirect a portion for DNA backlog reduction grants. I oppose this amendment for two reasons. First, the fiscal year 2013 Senate CJS bill already rescinds over $61 million from DOJ grants, coming on top of $93 million rescinded in the fiscal year 2012 enacted bill. The Justice Department's grant components are already struggling to meet those mandatory rescissions. In order to meet an additional $780 million, this amendment would give the Department enormous power to unilaterally terminate programs with no input from Congress. Second, Justice grants have already been slashed, and are likely to take more cuts in the coming months and years.…”