Evan Bayh

It just sends a message that Congress is just out of touch and oblivious to the concerns of ordinary people. And I think that's just deeply wrong, and it feeds into the cynicism that many people feel about Washington these days.

They're asking us to raise the debt ceiling by $2 trillion. At a time when ordinary people are having to make hard decisions about what they can afford and not afford, maybe not do the little extra thing this Christmas, members of Congress…

If it can't restrain itself, then somebody has to. That tends to be the executive branch.

At a time when ordinary people are having to cut back, should not Congress exert a little restraint?

First, it increases spending about four times the rate of inflation at a time when the deficit is out of control and our national debt is skyrocketing. So I just I think fiscally, it is irresponsible.

Members of Congress are still insisting on getting their little special projects. It's just not right at this moment in time.

the last thing that we want is the political branches of Government getting, you know, more involved in setting these policies on a day-to-day basis

The President was wise to ask you to remain, and you were a true public servant.

I can't help but think that if we had had the kind of nuanced and complex analysis at that point, perhaps we wouldn't be here today.

I'm most gratified for your collaboration.

these fees would largely be passed through to consumers in the form of higher premiums for private coverage.

This violates something fundamental in the American character.