Political Quotes

“State and local governments can sleep safer tonight because we are about to put the menace of unfunded mandates behind lock and key. Congress has recognized, on a bipartisan basis, that its penchant for passing the costs of programs on to States and localities is a threat to our system of government. It has mustered the courage to say: Please, stop us before we mandate again. It is an enormous relief to know that we are in the final stage of House consideration of S. 1, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. The conference committee that negotiated the differences between the House and the Senate was the first conference committee of the 104th Congress to complete action. I believe it set an excellent precedent for bipartisan, thoughtful negotiation in the interest of producing the best conference report possible. Mr. Speaker, no blood was shed; no voices were raised. It was a model of civility and comity as we deliberated on these matters that are going to mean so much to States and local governments throughout this country. The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act is a better and stronger piece of legislation as a result of the conference committee.”