Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, like all working families in this country and Members of this body, I am committed to the fight against illegal drugs flowing into our country across our borders. We need to strengthen our efforts to halt the flood of drugs to our cities and suburbs and States. This is the context in which I rise to oppose H.R. 3809. I believe that the drug issue is too important to clot it with anti-Customs Service worker provisions, wherever those provisions came from. This measure is far too controversial to be considered under the suspension calendar. It needs to be sent back to the Committee on Rules for full consideration. This bill has a number of laudable aspects. It increases funds authorized for Customs Service to use for drug interdiction activities, earmarks money for the hiring of more than 1,700 new Customs inspectors, special agents, K-9 enforcement officers, provides for a variety of new high-tech equipment. But illegal drugs will not be stopped by technology or money alone. Drugs will be halted by the motivated and dedicated people who work for the Customs Service. These civil servants are the first line of defense against the drugs flowing into our country. Why attack them? They did not create the drug problem. This is where H.R. 3809 becomes an extreme and radical measure.”