Political Quotes

“Before I begin, I want to thank Chairman Ros- Lehtinen for her support, Mr. Berman for his support, and Mr. Smith for his help. I also want to thank some key staff members whose hard work and efforts on the bill have not gone unnoticed: Elyse Anderson, Kalinda Stephenson, Yleem Poblete, Steve Stombres, and also Kyle Nevins with the majority leader's office. They have been very, very helpful, and I am grateful for their help. This past January, in the wake of increasing violence, targeted attacks, and heightened discrimination against Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq and Egypt, and persistent concerns in Afghanistan and Pakistan, among other nations, I introduced bipartisan legislation, H.R. 440, which would require the administration to appoint a special envoy to advocate for religious minorities in the Middle East and South Central Asia in order to make this issue a foreign policy priority. Since introduction, this legislation has garnered widespread bipartisan support with nearly 80 cosponsors. I want to thank Anna Eshoo, the lead Democrat in the House, for her work on this. Also, companion legislation has been introduced now by Senators Roy Blunt and Carl Levin. The legislation has also been championed by a host of faith-based organizations and diaspora communities, who recognize the importance of ensuring that the vulnerable communities have an advocate within the U.S. Government and around the world.…”