Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to this negative amendment that would eliminate funding for the American Community Survey. Some have labeled the Majority the do nothing party. This amendment would make them the ``know nothing party.'' The ACS is the only source of national, annual socioeconomic, housing, and demographic data. It is used by Congress to help allocate $450 billion a year in federal grants to state and local governments, including the distribution of funds for veterans' job training programs and for improvements to low-income schools. The business community uses the ACS to help guide investment decisions like location and expansion plans. Congress has required, directly or indirectly, all of the data gathered in the ACS. The ACS passed with bipartisan support under the previous Administration to ensure greater accuracy and streamline the decennial census. Wade Henderson, CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, recently wrote about the ACS and asked, ``Why would some members of Congress want to run the government without the most accurate information available to guide their decisions?'' I urge a ``no'' vote on the Webster amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Webster). The amendment was agreed to.”