Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. GOSAR. I am from Arizona, and I am proud to rise in support of this amendment because no other State has suffered the consequences like we have in Arizona and will continue to.
Let's think of the ramifications of what transpired here. We did not follow proper protocol in allowing guns to walk. We didn't even know where they were--and we still don't know where they are--and yet Arizona will suffer the consequences of those guns on our side of the border. Let's take a look at the other aspect. What about the Mexican people? Where is the outcry? Where is the justice? Here we've had the Hispanic people who have lost over 300 people to this impropriety--and it was overseen by the Federal Government and the Department of Justice? This is outrageous.
I am glad that what we're doing is defunding this aspect in order to make sure that we know what's right and what's wrong and in order to hold people accountable for the cover-up that has occurred. But think about it. Have we ever seen something of this atrocity? We've actually overstepped the oversight and sovereignty of the Mexican Government.
What we need are answers. The American people need the answers, and the folks from Arizona need the answers. We want to make sure that those who are accountable are held perfectly to that standard like everybody else. Yes, we have not seen the documentation. The other side says that we have seen the documentation and that everybody has been held accountable. That's wrong. That's absolutely wrong. Take it from somebody from Arizona who has had to live under this Department of Justice. We want to make sure that we have accountability.
Last but not least, what about the Brian Terry family? When we look at the whole oversight of this egregious operation, did it have to take the life of a brave soldier, Brian Terry? That's what it took to even come to this situation. It cannot be repeated. Absolutely, it cannot be repeated.
I am glad that my colleague has offered this amendment to make sure that we do not give funding for those who are in the Department of Justice and, if they do, that they are held to the letter of the law.
I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. GOSAR. I am proud of my colleague from Arizona for bringing up this amendment, and I am tired of the Department of Justice dictating to the States. It's about time that we embellished and supported States to actually help us with this. And I want to remind our colleagues, if it's good enough for us--here's my card in order to vote--it should be good enough for the rest of the United States. What we do in Congress we should do for the rest of the country, and this is where it starts.
There are so many things that we can talk about, but it's about time that we stopped suing States. And I think this is a great amendment--rewarding good behavior instead of rewarding bad behavior--and giving our Department of Justice an outline of what good behavior is, because I think they've lost their way.
I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source