Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I am delighted that the Senate is proceeding to consideration of the Fire Grants and Safety Act. This bipartisan legislation, which my colleague from Michigan, Senator Peters, the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and I have introduced, is cosponsored by our fellow congressional Fire Caucus chairs: Senators Murkowski, Tester, and Carper. Our bill would extend critical FEMA fire prevention programs, some of which are set to expire at the end of this fiscal year. Mr. President, your State of Vermont and mine are a lot alike. Firefighters are critical to the safety of our communities, whether they are small or large. Firefighters across Maine and the country courageously serve their communities. Recognizing their commitment in 2000 and 2003, I helped create FEMA's firefighter grant programs as part of a bipartisan effort to ensure that firefighters have the adequate staffing, equipment, and training to do their essential jobs as effectively and safely as possible. At that time, I was the chair or ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. The Fire Grants and Safety Act would reauthorize four critical firefighting and emergency services programs: the U.S.…”