Political Quotes

“I have grave concerns, Mr. Speaker, about the fact that it does appear, from everything I have said, and I am just talking to counsel, now, that we have indeed lost $725 million that could have been used to clean up the drinking water of this Nation. When we take a look at the amounts of moneys different States have lost, California, almost $42 million; Texas, almost $39 million; my own State of Pennsylvania, $28.5 million. We could use that money to clean this up. I think what they are saying on the other side is, ``Trust us, we will figure out a way to fix it.'' The fact of the matter is that the Speaker did not appoint the conferees in time to get this bill done. There is a pattern of this which really is very bothersome to me. Earlier this week we brought out the fact, and I hope Members on both sides of the aisle will note, that Members are not having their bills paid in their offices. Take a look. For the first time in the history of this institution, in June, your rent payments were not made. That costs us credibility, it costs us money, it costs every Member in this office. Now we are not appointing conferees in time, so the States of this country do not in fact have tens of millions of dollars that they normally would have in order to clean up this water.”