Political Quotes

“Mr. President, acting Commissioner Kautter's response is deeply troubling, for several reasons. First, why did it take so long? Every bureaucracy has its problems, but almost 5 weeks, on a time-sensitive matter, the answer to which should be clear in 5 minutes? As I said on the Senate floor last week: ``It looks to me like the administration has a policy on their hands that they know is corrupt--that they know is undemocratic. And so they're playing hide the ball. Because the more the public hears about this dark money rule, the less they like it.'' Further, the argument Acting Commissioner Kautter makes in the letter is utter nonsense. In the first place, he mischaracterizes the CRA, in a way that would render the entire law unworkable. For over 20 years, here is how the CRA has worked: If the administration submits something to Congress under the CRA, that is that; it is subject to congressional review under the terms of the CRA. In the Senate, that means the clock starts, and the period for the consideration of a disapproval resolution begins. If, on the other hand, the administration does not submit a matter under the CRA, but a Senator or Representative believes that the matter nevertheless should be subject to the CRA, that Senator or Congressman can ask the Government Accountability Office to review whether the CRA applies. This has happened about 20 times since 1996.…”