Political Quotes

“We do want to use this opportunity, though, to thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Chairman Istook) and congratulate him for the 333 to 92 vote on final passage of the D.C. appropriations bill. I do not know that anybody in this body is aware of this, but over the past 20 years, no D.C. appropriations bill has ever passed the House of Representatives with a higher margin of votes. This strong bipartisan support reflects a vote of confidence on a number of positive developments in the district. It is important to understand that that was unprecedented, virtually unprecedented to get that kind of margin of support for a D.C. appropriations bill. It is really for three reasons, a strong fiscal picture that includes a budget surplus that will make it possible for the first time in a decade to cut any taxes for D.C. businesses and residents. We have got a new mayor and city council who are committed to revitalizing the district, its businesses, its infrastructure and schools, and its public services. Thirdly, we have a new chairman who has made every effort to familiarize himself with the affairs of the District and played a fair and an even hand with District officials, with the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), and with myself.”