Political Quotes

“I come to speak to my colleagues tonight here in the House to discuss some of the reforms that we have achieved thus far and where we need to go in the next few months to make sure we complete our agenda to create jobs, to have reforms and to make sure the institution that we are serving in and the public we are serving for are being properly represented in every way imaginable inasmuch as in a bipartisan way as possible, in that total effect. Let me just review, Mr. Speaker, if I may, with you some of the important reforms we have achieved. First on opening day we cut one-third of committee staff, eliminated 3 committees, 25 subcommittees. At the same time we also passed a rule for this 104th Congress in the House, there would be no tax increase unless with three-fifths of the Members present voting for that tax increase, and I can report to you we have had no tax increases to date. We also have one-third cut in the franking privileges, the free mailing privileges that Members have, and since that time some other additional reforms I think are worth repeating and worth underscoring for my colleagues. We have passed a ban on gifts from lobbyists.”