Robert Torricelli: “when the 104th Congress began, it was our mandate, it was alleged, to enhance the role of State government, to reduce…”

“when the 104th Congress began, it was our mandate, it was alleged, to enhance the role of State government, to reduce the role of Federal regulations, to ease the burdens on industry. And now here we are, a year later, creating a new Federal commission to review an industry that has always been the province of the State government, an industry about which the Federal Government has never been involved and has no expertise. And, to compound the problem, this new Commission will all be named by elements of the Federal Government. No involvement by the attorneys general, who have enforced the laws for 200 years, no role by the State Governors, who have had this responsibility, and no role by tribal leaders, who now have the fastest growing element of this industry. We have managed to ask a recommendation uniquely from the one element of government in the entire country with no expertise, no knowledge, and no involvement. Mr. Speaker, I see the realities that the Commission may carry the day. Let me at least suggest this: The other body has a chance to improve it, get the Governors involved, get the industry involved, get the tribal leaders involved, to make it a better report. While I may still believe that it is the role of the Federal Government that is not appropriate and I oppose the commission, let us at least for the record make this clear:”