"Let us be very clear: We are here today because of a lease that was endorsed by, advocated by Democrats."
"We have allowed a President of the United States when in his personal capacity to invest in Washington, DC."
"We can sit back and we look at IGs and we give them a thumbs up or a thumbs down or, you know, equivocate kind of mark based on a set of criteria that is very ambiguous."
"No matter how partisan this committee gets--no matter how partisan it gets, I am confident that we can all agree that your role in the roles of the inspectors generals' mission is more important than ..."
"I think it would be important for us to get it to markup as quickly as possible, get that through the markup process and to the floor for a vote."
"We must make sure that the inspector generals have the statutory authorities, the resources necessary to fully carry out their investigations, their audits, their reviews, allegations of misconduct."
"Your independence is key and, certainly, our Councils of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency, also known as CIGIE--we work in acronyms around here--are crucial to help providing the IGs wi..."
"When I came to Washington, DC, I wanted to make sure that government was accountable not only to the constituents of mine in North Carolina but to all of America."
"I would say this. The chairman has just introduced a piece of legislation that is very meaningful and I think it would be important for us to get it to markup as quickly as possible."
"the great thing about the inspectors generals is that whether there is a Democrat in the chair or a Republican in the chair, the value remains the same."
"So we will be referring those inconsistencies to you today, Mr. Horowitz, and I think that it is important that the American people get to look at this."