Political Quotes

“I thank the chairman of the subcommittee and the ranking member for their courtesies. I am the ranking member on the Transportation Security Committee and have had the privilege of serving as the chairperson of that committee. I now work with the chairperson, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak to the issues of our committee as relates to the present appropriations. I think we can all be reminded of a number of incidents, starting with 9/11 and the attack on the Nation's aviation and the Nation's soul. During that time, we did not have the structure of Federal Air Marshals that we have today. We can be reminded of the shoe bomber, the Christmas Day bomber, the issue of the pilot that caused a disturbance some weeks and months ago. We know that the idea of aviation security is crucial. In the course of that, we have developed a very important system called the Federal Air Marshal system. If you would query much of the traveling public, whether domestic or international, they would say yes to more Federal Air Marshals, and I agree. I've offered amendments and legislation to require more Federal Air Marshals on international trips and certainly have encouraged the training and utilization of FAMs on domestic trips. I have visited their offices. I've sat down and spoken to them. They are committed and dedicated public servants. My amendment will restore the Federal Air Marshals, FAMs, budget by $50 million.…”