Ted Poe: “Today, I rise to introduce an amendment to strike section 165 from the underlying bill. Section 165 states that no funds…”

“Today, I rise to introduce an amendment to strike section 165 from the underlying bill. Section 165 states that no funds ``in this or any other act'' may be available for a light or heavy rail project in Houston, Texas, if the route goes through Richmond or down Post Oak Boulevard. This language is contrary to the will of the voters of Harris County, Texas, and should not be included in this Federal Government appropriations bill. Houstonians voted in support of new transportation options for the Houston area in a local referendum in 2003. Now some disagree with the results of that referendum, but local voters have made their decision, and I rise to support their right to make these decisions in Houston, Texas, and in local elections without the interference of Congress. If the Federal Government has the right to overrule a local election and referendum, then what is next? Blocking Federal funds via obscure riders in appropriations bills in order to try and steer routing decisions is wrong. It is inappropriate overreach by the Federal Government. It violates the will of the voters of Harris County, and, ultimately, it hurts the City of Houston, Texas. For Members outside of Texas who may be unfamiliar with this debate, the precedent that this language will set, if allowed to remain in the bill, is far-reaching, and it will affect more than just Texas.…”