Thomas Foley: “let me quote Ronald Reagan: ``Too often character assassination has replaced debate in principle here in Washington.…”

“let me quote Ronald Reagan: ``Too often character assassination has replaced debate in principle here in Washington. Destroy someone's reputation, and you do not have to talk about what he or she stands for.'' I have not heard one Republican on my side of the aisle talk about keeping the status quo. Each and every one of us has family that fly on airplanes, and we are concerned about their safety. But if one listens to the other side of the aisle, we are not interested in employing top-notch people. Indeed, we are. Mr. Chairman, in Palm Beach County, I would like to be able, with the President's direction, to hire the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department, uniformed law enforcement agents, FOP and PBA members. I like the union, and I like supporting unionized police and firefighters. They could be on the job in a matter of weeks. They could be given the authority to do that. We are not suggesting to keep these little groups of people who are now working the airports. That is inadequate. That is unacceptable.”