Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, in response to my colleague from Maryland, let me say that unfunded mandates take many forms that may not be included when regulatory costs are counted. That is why strong, bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate passed the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act in 1995. Similarly, my amendment ensures that costs passed from Federal agencies to State and local governments and private businesses are properly counted and considered. If mandates under review are economically defensible and represent the best policy option available, then the commission will not recommend they be repealed. The issue of unfunded mandates is frequently overlooked in the debates about reforming our regulatory system and carrying out Federal policies. It is all too easy for Washington bureaucrats to write off concerns expressed by a handful of local governments or of a small subset of private businesses, but these decisions have real costs and real effects on the individuals, families, and communities we each represent. While my amendment is a small change, it ensures that costs passed down to businesses and to State and local governments are truly the best means to achieve desired policy ends; so I thank my colleagues for their consideration and ask for their support. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr.…”