Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, the Republicans' Interior Appropriations bill attacks our environment and the opportunity for our prosperity in communities that have historically been left behind. This bill stands in stark contrast to Democratic values and priorities. Last Congress, the Democratic House, Senate, and President recognized that for too long rural communities have lost jobs, people, and economic vibrancy. As someone from and representing rural communities, changing this trajectory is my purpose and my passion in Congress. It is also my duty to bring rural voices to this Chamber, especially at times when Republicans' extreme bills will hurt our precious rural communities. I know many of my colleagues in this room are also concerned about the rural communities where they live, yet rather than investing in places of promise, Republicans are using their appropriation bills to undermine that promise. Indeed, their Interior-Environment bill cuts programs from the Inflation Reduction Act, our landmark law that we passed last year that marked the largest climate investment in U.S. history. They want to cut that Act by $9.4 billion. This includes slashing the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund by $7.8 billion. That fund allows us to address the climate crisis while investing in jobs and capital improvements in rural America and other communities across the country that have been left behind.…”