Political Quotes

“I listen with a great deal of attention to my good friend from New York whenever she rises on this issue because, frankly, I know she is much more knowledgeable about it than I am. I do not pretend to be an expert in this area at all. It is not something we handle normally on the Committee on Appropriations. It would normally come through another committee. I think, from what I have been told, that is actually what the great concern is. I don't think there is much doubt that there is a serious crisis here. Nobody debates that. I think that the intent next year, as I understand it, is to try to work through regular order and resolve this, as we should, because it is a complex problem. I think probably the decision at higher levels than mine was that this is not the appropriate vehicle. That does not take away from my friend's point that it is a serious problem. It needs the attention of Congress. I look forward to working with her in that regard. I do not think this was the right vehicle. I do think, actually, there would have been many Members with many questions who would not have had a chance to study it. It just makes more sense to work its way through the committee. I hope we do that. I think that is the right thing to do. I think my friend was certainly well within her rights and very appropriately raised an important issue that this House needs to turn its attention to next year. Mr.…”