Political Quotes

“Absolutely. We talked about that piece, basically a Marshall Plan for Central America, the investment. And Zoe Lofgren, another colleague of yours from California--northern California, San Jose--has got legislation that addresses, essentially, the start of a Marshall Plan for Central America, which I believe she has filed already. And I mentioned Raul Ruiz's bill on lifting standards. Another bill that we are pushing very strongly is the accountability piece. We were talking about the CBP officers and the fact that I can't tell whether there is any legitimate accountability over there. My colleague from Texas, Veronica Escobar, who represents El Paso, has got a bill on accountability that she has also filed. So we are pushing these pieces of legislation really hard, working with the Speaker and others, to try to get some of them passed before the end of this July, before we go on the long August recess. Lori Trahan, another member of the CHC, from Massachusetts, has got a bill. One of the problems, and you spoke to it, is that DHS and HHS will often try to deny Members of Congress access to the facilities. People might say: Okay, well, you are Members of Congress and they are a different agency. Why should you be able to go in whenever you want; right? Well, remember, the legislative branch has oversight over these executive agencies, and you can't do your job of oversight if they don't let you in.…”