Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I am proud to offer this amendment on behalf of myself and my good friend, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Duckworth). H.R. 899 boasts an Orwellian title that attempts to deceive the public into believing that the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act is simply an innocuous attempt to enhance transparency--rather than the subversive legislative assault on public health, safety, and environmental protections that it truly is. H.R. 899 is simply an effort to throw a wrench into the rulemaking process, ensuring that private industry is provided privileges and rights far above any other stakeholder in the regulatory process. In many respects, H.R. 899 represents the Mitt Romney principle on steroids, for it appears that in the minds of our friends on the other side of the aisle, not only is it a fact that ``corporations are people, my friend,'' but under this measure, Republicans appear to be embracing an ethos that treats corporations better than people. Regrettably, this bill provides private corporations with an unfair consultation advantage over every other stakeholder in the regulatory process. That is indefensible. Under this bill, Federal agencies would be required to consult with private industry ``before issuance of a proposed rulemaking,'' yet it does not afford the same level of consultation to average citizens who rely on agency rules to preserve and protect their health, welfare, and safety.…”