James Traficant: “With 60-miles-per-hour winds and no visibility these real high-tech helicopters are about as useful--I better not say…”

“With 60-miles-per-hour winds and no visibility these real high-tech helicopters are about as useful--I better not say it. My colleagues know what I am talking about from razorback country. This is an excellent bill. None of the debate that has come from this side of the aisle is to any way take away from this bill and the first effort of this fine chairman. I was hoping that maybe we would come to some understanding on the limited amount of money and the Congress of the United States would say: ``Fine, we're willing to negotiate and give you a free reign. You've done a good job, Coast Guard, but one thing we can be sure of. When we have information that says lives can be placed at risk, the decision is easy. The Congress will not allow the dice to be rolled.'' I am hoping the Congress will be able to look at that, pass that one amendment. It could make this a great bill. But in any regard I am going to vote for this bill. I support the efforts of this fine chairman. I commend him for his efforts here today.”