Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, today, I will vote against H.R. 5063, a bill that would prohibit the federal government from entering into settlement agreements that include payments directed to appropriate third parties. This bill, if enacted, would defang federal civil enforcement agencies as they seek to address and provide restitution for illegal actions that threaten a community's health and safety and the environment, and to prevent the recurrence of those illegal actions. The harms caused by, for instance, violations of environmental laws, predatory lending by financial institutions, and workplace exposure to toxic chemicals, harm individuals and our communities. These harms can be difficult to adequately compensate. Settlements that only require payments to those directly harmed by the wrongdoing addressed in the enforcement action fails to adequately capture the full cost of unlawful conduct. For decades, the United States government has entered into settlement agreements with defendants to pay for the direct harms they have caused. In many instances, these settlements also include payments to organizations that advance programs assisting with the recovery of a community harmed by the wrongdoing addressed in the enforcement action. The ability of the federal government to direct payments from these settlements to third parties is often the best way to hold wrongdoers accountable for the indirect harm done to the public at large. The Acting CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired.…”