Political Quotes

“the insurance premium issue is not a red herring. It is a matter of both reality and public policy. If we were able to auction it to the networks, everyone has recognized it could generate billions and help balance the budget. This bill gives the insurance premium to the networks rent-free, and no Member will be able to justify this at a time when we are chopping Medicare in order to balance the budget. I want to thank Chairman Bliley for making the process of debate and consideration of this important economic bill open and bipartisan--for members of both the Commerce and Judiciary Committees. LONG DISTANCE AND RELATED ISSUES I said at the beginning of this debate that the antitrust laws and the Antitrust Division must remain at the very center of the telecommunications debate. Antitrust law is synonymous with low prices and consumer protection--and that is exactly what we need in our telecommunications industry. The Antitrust Division is the principal government agency responsible for antitrust enforcement. Its role in the MFJ has given it decades of expertise in telecommunications competition issues. The Division has unrivaled expertise in making predictive judgments and in assessing marketplace effects. The FCC by contrast has no antitrust background, and is facing the threat of significant downsizing. This is why its so important that the Justice Department was given an enhanced role in reviewing possible Bell entry into long distance.”