Rob Portman: “Mr. Chairman, first in response to my colleague from Michigan, very thoughtful comments on the issue of unfunded…”

“Mr. Chairman, first in response to my colleague from Michigan, very thoughtful comments on the issue of unfunded mandates, I know he is sincere about his interest in addressing the issue. I would say that the conclusion he draws is a very different one than many of us do. That is to say, we believe that having cost information, having a debate on the floor as to the funding issue and then having a vote up or down will not necessarily result in important issues like special education being passed, when appropriate. The difference between the Moran bill and H.R. 5 before us is that it provides for that debate on the floor and it provides for that accountability, the vote up or down. The cost concerns that the gentleman from Michigan raised would be the same concerns in the Moran bill as an example. The cost-benefit analysis is in both pieces of legislation. I have to oppose the Moran amendment simply because it does not go far enough.”