On the recordFebruary 18, 2011
Mr. Chairman, what the gentlelady asserts may or may not be true. The fact is we don't know. We never authorized this agency. In a 2,700 page bill, passed in the dead of night on March 23, no authorization for this agency existed, but curiously enough, the head of this agency was actually hired a year ago last Wednesday. The administration knew what they were doing, they bowled right ahead and did it, but they didn't want Congress to know. The authorization language was left out of the bill, and then we forward funded it with direct appropriation. That is why this amendment is necessary. Pull that funding out. Keep those foot soldiers under wraps because in CMS, they are under direct control of a man who has never been confirmed by the United States Senate. The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired. Ms. DeLAURO. I yield the balance of my time to Mr. Pallone of New Jersey. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 1 minute.
