Political Quotes

“I am a supporter, Mr. Speaker, of the line item veto, because I think it is an important tool that the President should have to help us control the runaway spending that we have seen in this country over the last 30 years. But I am very troubled by what I have seen in the committee that I serve on, the Government Reform Committee, by what is occurring there, because I think that the Government Reform Committee, under the new leadership of the Republican party, is only dealing with half the problem. The problem that the new leadership is dealing with is the problem of spending, pork barrel spending in appropriations bills that I believe should be taken out. I think that the President should have the authority with the line item veto to remove pork barrel spending from appropriation items. I also feel very strongly, though, Mr. Speaker, that the President should, in addition to having the power to remove pork barrel spending, that the President should have the additional power to remove tax expenditures or special tax breaks that are given through our Tax Code as well.”