Political Quotes

“Commandant Papp is a great American. He has been a friend to not only those of us in the United States Congress who are on the responsible committees, but he has been a friend to his men and women that serve in the United States Coast Guard. Commandant Papp, we salute you for your grand service and look forward to your continued service to America, but more importantly, we owe you a great deal of respect and honor. Thank you so very much. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak with reservations regarding the consideration of H.R. 4005, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act under a suspension because the bill establishes appropriations limits; reduces the number of commissioned officers; alters the mission of Coast Guard Centers; and did not come before the Homeland Security Committee under a sequential referral. The bill before the House accomplishes several goals that may have been shared by the House Transportation Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security, but it also addresses areas that should have had more deliberation before coming to the House Floor for a vote with no opportunity to amend the legislation. On February 11, 2014, as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, I joined Ranking Member of the Full Homeland Security Committee Bennie Thompson in writing to urge a sequential referral of H.R.…”