Political Quotes

“I rise in support of the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 3980, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I introduced H.R. 3980, the Redundancy Elimination Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act, because I believe that we need greater accountability for the $4 billion in grant funding provided annually by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. I want to thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member King of the committee, as well as Congresswoman Richardson and Congressman Rogers from Alabama, the chairman and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, as well as my good friend, Senator Joe Lieberman, for the support in moving this bill, plus the staff who has worked very hard. This bill passed unanimously, and I ask that we concur with the Senate amendment to H.R. 3980 that builds upon this legislation by directing FEMA to work with the National Academy of Public Administration to formulate performance measures for the grant programs. This bill plus the amendment simply calls for greater accountability that we are able to measure and that we are able to see that we have results. So I ask my colleagues to support this Senate amendment to H.R. 3980 and pass this piece of legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.”