Political Quotes

“before I speak on the subject matter of a bill I have submitted for introduction, Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, I wish to comment on two issues that came up for debate or discussion earlier today. One was on the debt ceiling. It is somewhat frustrating because at one point I thought for sure we were going to vote on a debt ceiling issue that would bring certainty and some predictability to the markets and to the economy and not hold that issue hostage, as was done a couple of years ago by some. But some threatened today to hold the good faith and credit of this country hostage in these debates on the budget. The minority leader came forward and proposed an idea which seemed like a pretty good one to me--it obviously was a pretty good idea to him because he brought it forward. I have only been here 4 years, but from my understanding of history, when a debt ceiling issue comes before us as a single item, it only requires 51-plus votes. For the first time I can recall since I have been here and prior to that time, that has changed midway through. They have now said: No, we didn't really mean that. We don't want to really deal with the debt. We told you we did, but we don't, so we are going to make you have a 60-vote threshold. People back in Alaska are fed up with these kinds of games, this showmanship to try to one-up the other side.…”