Political Quotes

“thanks to Chairman Bill Clinger, ranking Member Cardiss Collins, and subcommittee Chairman Tom Davis, we are seeing a rare moment in any Congress, and certainly in this one. A very difficult bill has been crafted and then unanimously embraced in subcommittee and committee because of their leadership. Yet, H.R. 1345 has no precedent in this House. It has substantial precedent in this country, of course. New York City, Philadelphia, and Cleveland, among other jurisdictions, became insolvent and have had similar authorities or boards established to guide them back to fiscal health. To those inclined to harshly judge the District, the self-same ordeals of these great American cities should give some pause. And, unlike those cities, the District has had to fund not only municipal but also State and county functions as well, among them today's daunting costs of Medicaid and prisons. Before long, the Congress will have to face the reality that no American city today can fund these State and county missions alone and that the District will need more funds from the Congress. Such huge cost, as well as the congressionally imposed unfunded pension liability, in today's atmosphere of urban distress, have simply overwhelmed the city. Chairman Clinger and ranking Member Collins were executive producers of this effort, setting the tone, steering the course, insisting upon flexibility, yet drawing the bright lines to achieve an effective bill.”