We are determined, as Democrats, to try to work together and to try to work with the Republicans to achieve a balanced budget but in a way that is consistent with our principles.

But we've worked too hard, too long, to let partisan extremism kill this effort.

We can get Republicans and Democrats on the solution side of this problem.

I reaffirmed my willingness and desire to work with the Republican leadership in the Congress to advance the cause of the American people.

I'm going to judge a policy not on whether it's a Republican or a Democratic one but on whether it's best for the American people.

Let's work together on this. It is too important for politics as usual.

I ran because my experience as a Governor made me believe that you really could roll up your sleeves and reach across party lines and other lines and solve real problems that real people have.

We could have passed the bill this year if the Republicans had been willing to work with us in a bipartisan manner.

At the moment of voting we had no help from the other side.

Why should they do something that would hand a victory to the extremists on both sides?

We must all, without regard to party or philosophy, at least agree to face the real problems of this country.

I congratulate and thank the many Members of the House and Senate in both parties who worked so diligently to pass this legislation.

Both sides appeared to be willing to agree to it.

Tonight the leaders of both parties found common ground in supporting the common good.

We need to find areas where we can agree and work together on.

All Americans, whatever their political stripe, can reap the benefits of the change we can begin today.

I hope that this movement will go well beyond party or any other political division in this country.

The case for this 'FREEDOM Support Act' is so overriding that I am confident that we can lay the politics aside and get this passed.