Gerry Connolly

I certainly appreciate Mr. Grayson's reminding us of the historical context, but where do we go with that?

I believe the resolution in front of us is a balanced one, as you suggest, Mr. Chairman, and I intend to support it.

I am just as alarmed by figures that were raised in our prior hearing. For example, in 2011, the FBI reported approximately 750,000 Americans were arrested for a marijuana law violation.

I am not unsympathetic to the concerns raised by skeptics of marijuana decriminalization or legalization.

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia will be postponed. Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. Jackson Lee The Acting CHAIR. It…

May I inquire as to how much time is remaining? The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Virginia has 90 seconds remaining.

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 13, line 6, strike ``and''. Page 14, line 16, strike the period at the end and insert ``; and''. Page…

This bill is a bad idea. It is an anti-consumer bill. I urge my colleagues to vote against it.

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia will be postponed. Amendment No. 8 Offered by Ms. Jackson Lee The Acting CHAIR. It…

Gosh, if there is a tired debate on this floor, my good friend from Georgia has just identified it. It is that hackneyed phrase, ``crushing burden of regulation.'' Well, that would come as news to most Americans who have benefited from…

I have no other speakers on this side. Does the gentleman have others on his side?

I thank my friend. Is there any doubt, do you think, in a taxpayer's mind that if the current situation that identifies something as paid for by the U.S. Army, then certainly we all understand that it is also paid for by the U.S. taxpayer?

When the United States makes an investment in other people, in other places, it is not only altruism, I would say to my colleague, it is also enlightened self-interest.

This zero sum gain view of the United States' role in the world, I would argue, is very dangerous.

I don't want to be the person who has to answer the next generation why is the Africa-Chinese trade the dominant trade in that part of the world and we don't even have a slice of it?

I think we have to get these definitions right, and I think some legislative relief, I think, is frankly going to be in order.

We have to be always on our guard to make sure it doesn't happen ever again.

I am very sensitive to the idea that the Government would ever attempt to silence voices, even dissenting voices.

This is not just about finger-pointing between Democrats and Republicans, it is about making our Nation better.

I saw the Government try to squelch that dissent.

I assure you Democrats, certainly this Democrat, will be on your side.

I am here to say protecting dark money has to stop.

Exclusively does not mean mostly.

We have got to look at benchmarks. We have got to look at best practices and try to encourage them elsewhere.

Not lack of effort, not lack of commitment but we are losing this game.