Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I will conclude on our side recognizing and acknowledging the splendid work and the diligent effort of the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) who is the chair of the Coast Guard Subcommittee. He devoted an enormous amount of time, hours of effort in hearings, one of which went for 10 hours on the Coast Guard procurement program where we had to hear in great detail the failure of allowing the private sector to self-certify, in effect. That was a massive failure of the procurement system. We went into great detail. Mr. Cummings spent an enormous amount of time and effort. Mr. LoBiondo as well gave his expertise, his years of seasoning and understanding of the Coast Guard's work. We passed major procurement reform. The Senate passed it, and we do not have to include that language in this legislation. Those reforms are moving into place. We are not going to repeat those mistakes of the past. It was necessary to make those changes. It was urgent for the integrity of the Coast Guard and for its successful operation. And all through this, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo) who was a partner, he regularly participated in all of the subcommittee hearings and our markup and lent great expertise to the final product of the committee. For that, I am enormously grateful and recognize and acknowledge his splendid contribution.”