Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his mostly kind words. Very seriously Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman. At the outset, let me thank Chairman Hensarling; Chairman Neugebauer; Ranking Member Waters; my good friend, Mrs. Maloney from New York; and also Senator Schumer. As the gentleman from Georgia said, this has been a long and winding road, but we have arrived at a compromise which I believe is worthy of the support of all Members of this body, certainly those of us who strongly support TRIA. I have been a supporter of TRIA going back now 12, 13 years because after 9/11, we realized it was absolutely essential that TRIA be enacted for not just New York to be rebuilt, but also so that construction be allowed to go forward anywhere around the country where there could be a risk of a terrorist attack which is why Major League Baseball, the NFL, NASCAR, and virtually every large university in the country supports TRIA. Now, Mr. Speaker, this is a compromise, and it is a compromise where all of us can find some fault with it, but the bottom line is the essence of TRIA has been sustained, and as we go forward, it is essential, I believe--strongly believe--that it be extended. Let's make it clear there has not been 1 cent of Federal money expended on TRIA, but during the 13 years it has been in effect, we have had billions of dollars in construction, jobs, and revenues coming into the Federal Government.…”