Political Quotes

“I thank the chairman of the House Resources Committee for his leadership on this and many other issues. It is so important to America's economy and our country. I rise today also in support of this legislation to reform the Federal helium program and also to reduce the deficit by $90 million over the next decade. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, I realize this is not about balloons. This is about America's great innovation and technology sector, about computers, and, as we heard from my colleague from New Jersey, MRIs and our great innovation and technology. It is essential that this become law. At the same time, this measure also provides short-term help to rural communities from some of the funding sources here. Those communities are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Let's be clear: that help is a lifeline, not a lifeboat. The status quo of asking Uncle Sam for a check year after year is simply not sustainable. However, managing our Federal forests, generating jobs and revenue, that's sustainable. Last week, the House passed a long-term solution for our rural forested communities, H.R. 1526, the chairman's bill, the Healthy Forest for the Healthy Communities Act. Now, it's time--now, it's time--for the United States Senate to take positive action.…”