Political Quotes

“I offer this amendment this afternoon together with the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) to provide $800,000 for improved enforcement for the Federal animal fighting law. It is not just enough to fight a law, Mr. Chairman. It must be enforced. In May, 160 Representatives and Senators requested this $800,000 increase for animal fighting enforcement in letters to the Committee on Appropriation's Subcommittee on Agriculture. The broad, bipartisan support reflects our constituents' concern for meaningful enforcement of the Federal animal fighting law. Fifty-five State and local sheriff's offices, State police departments from around the country, including Kansas, my home State of Oregon, Colorado, Texas, West Virginia, Michigan, Wisconsin and others, have called on Congress to provide this money so that USDA will improve its enforcement for the animal fighting law and have a stronger partner in their efforts. The increase we seek in our amendment would be offset by a cut of $800,000 in the agricultural building and facilities and rental payments account, only one-half of 1 percent, leaving over $156 million. Mr. Chairman, in the 27 years since Congress first prohibited most interstate and foreign commerce of animals for fighting, USDA has pursued only a handful of cases, despite receiving a steady stream of tips from informants and requests for State and local police on illegal movement of fighting dogs and birds across State lines.”