Political Quotes

“by refusing to renew the Federal county payments program, Congress has broken the bond with rural areas all across this country. Counties such as Crook County in Oregon have been affected. Congress' inaction means that county's road department's been whacked. It's half what it was 10 years ago. Road improvements needed for the future are being shelved. Maintenance projects are being put on hold. Crook County Judge Scott Cooper said: ``Congress just passed a new farm bill to help get products from farm to market, but without county payments, the products won't have roads or bridges to go over.'' H.R. 3058 would help solve this. It's a bipartisan, 4-year authorization for county payments; yet the leadership of this House has held it hostage on the Union Calendar since January 15. That's 121 days that the Democratic leadership has prevented the House from voting to reauthorize the county payments program. It's time to restore the Federal Government's century-old commitment to rural timbered communities, where Federal lands make up the bulk of the area. I call on the Democratic leadership once again, free H.R. 3058 for a vote, and keep the roads and schools open in rural America.”