Political Quotes

“I want to thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member Debbie Wasserman Schultz for their hard work on this bill. It really was a bipartisan effort, and I do think you have produced a good bill. Today, we consider the smallest of the appropriations bills which funds the operations of our Nation's legislative branch. Without Senate items, the bill is $3.326 billion, the same as 2014. While I am pleased with the overall funding level, it was my hope that, after years of cuts to Member Representational Allowances, or the MRAs, we might provide a modest increase this year. Member offices have sustained $106 million in cuts since 2010. While some reduction was appropriate, those cuts have severely strained the House's ability to serve the American people, due to fewer staff for constituent casework, the inability to effectively communicate with our constituents, and fewer district offices. Unless we return to sensible funding levels, we cannot stave off the further erosion of expertise, morale, and comity in this great institution. This bill funds the Open World Leadership program at $3.42 million, a reduction of $2.58 million. Instead of reducing funds equivalent to the amount for exchanges with Russians, we should shift the funds to support a larger presence in Ukraine and other countries fostering democratic principles, as suggested in the committee report.…”