Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the bill. I want to commend Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Lowey for reminding the House how Members can work together on a bipartisan basis to get the people's business done. We didn't merely set aside our differences; we laid them on the table, and we worked through them. The result is far from ideal. It bears the marks of the majority's misguided budget strategy, which has cut appropriations time and time again while leaving the main drivers of the deficit, namely, tax expenditures and mandatory spending, largely untouched. The dire results are most evident in the Labor-Health-Education title of this bill, with devastating cuts to community health centers, medical research, and other vital investments. But it could have been worse. The December budget agreement allows us to avoid another mindless round of sequestration and to stitch together 12 bills that have gone through at least some of the appropriations process. Along with Chairman John Carter, I have had particular responsibility for the Homeland Security title, and I want to thank him for the open and collaborative process he has led on our subcommittee. With the help of our superb professional staff, we have worked cooperatively to make the most effective possible use of constrained resources. The agreement provides substantial increases for new customs officers at ports of entry to improve security and expedite travel and commerce.…”