Political Quotes

“I would like to thank Congressman Dicks for yielding me time so that I can comment on the Financial Services and General Government section of this bill. I would also like to thank both him and Chairman Rogers for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor. Please let me also express my appreciation to Chairwoman Emerson, who worked so well with me and our staff throughout this process. Unfortunately, because of the budget agreement and the allocation that was given to the subcommittee, there are significant cuts to many important agencies. However, this is a much better bill than what emerged from our committee markup, and we worked hard to provide sufficient funding in order to avoid layoffs of hardworking Federal employees. I am especially pleased that the health care repeal provisions and the many anti-Dodd-Frank provisions that were a part of the committee-passed bill have not been included in this final conference agreement. I am, however, distressed that this agreement once again interferes in the local affairs of the District of Columbia. Although D.C. will be able to continue to use its own local funds for syringe exchange programs, this conference report prohibits them from using their own local funds for abortion services, a restriction that no other American city has dictated to it by the Federal Government.…”