Political Quotes

“I thank the distinguished manager of this bill. Mr. Speaker, people are in need in America, and I support the rule and the underlying bills in intelligence, currency and, certainly, the legislation of H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 health bill. How long do those first responders have to wait? We have been on this floor before where we have embarrassed ourselves. These individuals who have lived--and some who have died-- were the first on line during the tragedy of 9/11. However, they were not captured in the relief and recovery. Many of them have suffered with respiratory diseases, and their families have suffered. Some have already lost their lives. It is crucial that we pass this bill. Similarly, I am hoping that we will have come to the floor legislation that will help my constituents in Houston, Texas, and Texas in the relief of Hurricane Ike, where we are trying to extend the Health and Human Services block grant dollars for the thousands of Hurricane Ike victims who have not been helped. Here, too, we need to help those individuals who are now trying to be processed because Federal Government dollars came late and came late to Catholic Charities and to other nonprofits which are trying to work. We are waiting on the legislation in the Senate. We hope that we will be able to move this. Otherwise, we hope that there will be some action by the administration. We can't act on H.R. 847 by any other means than to pass this legislation today.…”