Political Quotes

“I condemn H. Res. 26 in the strongest terms, which seeks to nullify the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022, enacted by the council of the District of Columbia (DC). This bill is nothing more than a naked power grab on the part of House Republicans to enforce the will of Congress on the duly elected local representatives of the District of Columbia. I approach the subject of home rule as a former local government official having served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for 14 years, including five as chairman and as a former chairman of the Council of Governments. I know what it takes to manage public safety. I cannot imagine how a local government can function efficiently or effectively, if each of its public safety decisions requires Congressional approval. I have consistently supported autonomy for the District and would argue Congress' actions have actually had a deleterious effect on the District and its residents. D.C.'s lack of autonomy affects the entire National Capital Region, especially the thousands of my constituents who are civil servants and work in the District. I hope the irony of this situation is not lost on those who support the conservative principles of limited government and states' rights. Let me remind my colleagues of what my fellow Virginian, James Madison, said in the Federalist Papers, Number 43, with respect to the intent of the Congressional authority.…”