Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, let me assure the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey) that this amendment does not affect at all the underlying provisions concerning trade and revenue functions within the Customs Service. They actually have much greater protection than is provided in this amendment for the rest of the agency. I would just encourage the majority leader to please look at page 50 of the underlying bill where the language is identical to where it says the Coast Guard in the Department of Transportation, which shall be maintained as a distinct entity within the department. I believe this is using the identical language for the remainder of the Customs Service. It is the remainder, not that which is included with the arrangements worked out between the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) and the White House on the revenue functions and on the trade functions. We are dealing here with the other functions of the agency. It provides for appropriate congressional oversight without interfering with the trade and revenue functions of the Customs Service. The Customs Service is one of the oldest agencies in the Federal Government. It has a tremendously important function to perform, and it preserves the appropriate congressional oversight. I would urge the majority leader to take a look at it. Without this, the drafting is somewhat suspect.”