Political Quotes

“My amendment eliminates funding for the Denali Commission and uses the nearly $10 million in savings to pay down our $17.5 trillion national debt. It is a relatively small amount in relation to our national debt, but nonetheless, I believe it is a step in the right direction. For those who don't know, the Denali Commission is one of seven regional commissions that help direct Federal funds to State and local projects. However, unlike the other commissions, the Denali Commission serves only one State, Alaska, making it a little more than an unnecessary middleman. Many people would argue, including myself, that American taxpayers would be better served if Federal funds were distributed directly to the State of Alaska or to Alaskan communities. After all, State and local governments are more knowledgeable and better equipped than the Federal Government to address the needs of local communities. I am not the only one calling for an end to the 15-year-old Denali experiment. Last October, in his semiannual report to Congress, former inspector general of the Denali Commission, Mike Marsh, recommended that Congress eliminate Denali's funding in order to transition the Commission into a locally run and operated entity. On Friday, September 27, 2013, The Washington Post ran a front-page article, this one here, entitled ``Fire Me,'' in which Mike Marsh, the inspector general, requested that Congress fire him and everybody that worked with him.…”