Political Quotes

“I thank the ranking member and the ranking member of the full committee and ranking member of the subcommittee for their courtesies, and I think clearly over this process that we've had an opportunity, as authorizers, to work with our friends on the Appropriations Committee. I wanted to have the opportunity to share what I think is important information, an amendment that I believe and hope that the policy aspect of these amendments we can work together in conference to ensure we've come to a meeting of the mind. I look forward to working with the conferees and working with the Senate to make some corrections. Last evening, my amendment to help to restore the mission of FAMs was, in essence, an amendment that needs to be clarified. I again rise with the policy amendment that would help FAMs, the Federal Air Marshals, which I think I could poll any American and ask them the question as to whether or not Federal Air Marshals are, in fact, a crucial element of our security. Today in our hearing, Administrator Pistole, in a direct question that I asked of him as to whether a $50 million reduction would reduce the mission and the security aspect of the Federal Air Marshals, his emphatic answer was, yes, that is what is happening. I think that we should streamline and be efficient, but my amendment that we were hoping that would be discussed was an amendment to restore the $50 million.…”