Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I join many of my colleagues today in expressing the need to address the issue of unfunded Federal mandates for State and local government. Every Member of this House, I believe, shares the view that State and local governments have been asked to assume an overwhelming burden of Federal mandates in recent years. I do want to comment on some concerns I had. First of all, I am pleased that the Committee on Rules adopted an amendment similar to the one I offered in committee, clarifying that reauthorization of current bills will not be subject to the point of order as long as the aggregate costs to State and local governments are lower than they were in previous authorizations. I think it is imperative we protect our current environmental, health, and other laws. I want to point out, Mr. Speaker, that I am concerned with potential litigation resulting from the House version which has the judicial review provisions. I want to point out that I hope that CBO will provide its mandate cost estimates in a timely fashion and that its estimates will be accompanied by explanation of its methods. I also want to point out that I believe it is imperative that environmental standards apply to both the public and private sectors. Uniform standards, I think, are critically important.”