Political Quotes

“First, I also wish to join my chairman in mourning the loss of one of our majority committee staffers, Chuck Turner, who died earlier this month. Chuck's passing is a true loss for our committee. In the final hours of session for this year, we may finally be concluding this year's appropriations process. It hasn't been an easy year, but I do want to thank Chairman Rogers, my partner in this effort, and the staff for their hard work to put together spending bills following the 2-years budget agreement. I am disappointed, however, that the majority attached a repeal of the oil export ban to this omnibus spending bill. Such a major policy change should not be added at the last minute on a must-pass bill to keep government open. It is especially disappointing that we could lift the oil export ban in this bill and, yet, we don't address the urgent bankruptcy crisis facing Puerto Rico. It remains a priority to me and my Democratic colleagues, and we must continue all efforts to reach an agreement as soon as possible. I am pleased that this bill drops more than 150 extraneous policy provisions, many of which would have caused a White House veto. Gone are dozens of attacks on women's health, labor protections, consumer financial protection, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act. I was, however, disappointed that we were unable to reverse a 19- year-old prohibition on Federal funding for the research of gun violence.…”