Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. The amendment is the latest attempt by Progressives to undermine efforts to keep money out of the hands of a terrorist organization. Following the Biden administration's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban's takeover of the country, the U.S. did freeze nearly $9.5 billion in assets of the Afghan central bank to prevent the terrorist organization from accessing the funds. Other international organizations have taken similar actions. This amendment attacks such protections made by the U.S. and our international partners. The package already jeopardizes our national security by signaling to the Communist leadership in China that we are not taking our economic competitiveness and technological leadership seriously. Now, some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are taking it a step further by attempting to include language that encourages handing over billions of dollars to a terrorist organization. I am disappointed an amendment that helps enrich the Taliban is being considered for inclusion in a so-called international competitiveness package. I encourage my colleagues to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.”