Political Quotes

“I am not questioning the intent of the gentleman form Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger] because I know his intent is correct. But we are a nation of law and it is what is in the law books that count. That language is ambiguous, and there will be reductions in Federal funding in the future just as there have been in the past. In 1980 approximately, the Federal Government was paying 90 percent of the cost of upgrading wastewater treatment plants locally. Today it is 55 percent where and when those communities are lucky enough to get it. We are going to pass a balanced budget amendment, I will vote for it, and we will then have to reduce the amount of money we give to the States and cities. It is going to happen. I think it is very important that since you have a provision in there that says this does not count, if funds are reduced, well, then, we know right off the bat that within a short period of time, funds will be reduced, it will not count, and I think it is important that we have clear and concise language on this one issue.”