Political Quotes

“I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy as I appreciate his leadership on this issue. He comes from an area that has seen its own devastations in terms of flood. We're talking about a river system where we have engineered the area, and we have been fighting for years to try and attain an appropriate balance. This is not a fiscally responsible approach. It's interesting that it is opposed by Taxpayers for Common Sense, the National Taxpayers Union, the American Conservative Union, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, who have joined in common cause with a wide array of environmental organizations, as well as the professionals who deal with the management of floodplains, the Association of State Floodplain Managers, and a vast array of businesses, particularly those that are involved with the insurance and reinsurance. This is a prescription for disaster. Now, bear in mind that in the transportation bill--recently approved--there were proposals that were part of the flood issue that were for five parcels. This legislation--that as my friend from St. Louis points out has never had a hearing--would open it up to some 37,000 units of land in North Dakota. It doesn't restrict it. Additionally, it doesn't require that the Federal Government--that paid for this land to be taken and put in a natural state where it could absorb the floodplain, the floodwaters--that they get this for free. Now, Mr. Speaker, I've worked in flood insurance reform now for over 10 years.…”