Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I appreciate my colleague's commitment to empowering the legislative branch of government. We have worked together on a bill to rein in Presidential abuse of emergency powers. I hope we can get that across the finish line sometime this Congress. Unfortunately, I am concerned that this amendment sets up a complex and arguably unconstitutional legislative scheme to get rid of regulations and undermine the bicameral legislative process. Under the regulatory approval scheme that this amendment tees up, one Chamber of Congress could effectively nullify the law previously passed by the whole of Congress simply by not approving a rule of implementation. This amendment also undermines Agencies' ability to implement key environmental health and safety laws, endangering the American people. If Congress wants to repeal a law, we should repeal the law, not create some new arcane process to sabotage implementation. I welcome the opportunity to work with colleagues to pass legislation to strengthen the power of Congress, including to ensure that the President cannot tear up bipartisan funding bills enacted by Congress. But I urge my colleagues to reject this potentially unconstitutional and dangerous deregulatory amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time has expired. Vote on Amendment No. 922 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on the adoption of the amendment.”