Political Quotes

“I rise to oppose the Landrieu amendment. Only 1 day after the President signed the Dodd-Frank financial regulation bill into law, at that time proclaiming an end to taxpayer-funded bailouts, we find ourselves debating another bailout bill on the floor of the Senate. Just last week, we were told by the majority that the mere passage of Dodd-Frank would help revive our damaged financial system. The bill was heralded as a thoroughly considered and comprehensive piece of legislation that would restore confidence in our financial system and revive our economy. What a difference a day makes. If Dodd-Frank is really going to revive our economy, why do we need this bill? I think the answer is clear: The majority knows the Dodd-Frank legislation is going to reduce lending and undermine economic growth by imposing more regulations and taxes on banks. They know, I believe, that Dodd-Frank will do nothing to increase the availability or reduce the cost of loans to small businesses. But, rather than create a new regulatory system to strengthen our private sector, the majority decided to expand significantly the old system, thereby increasing the regulatory burden on American businesses--small, medium, and large. I believe this is the same old song and dance: expand the reach of the heavy hand of government, increase taxes and the cost of doing business, and then complain that the private sector is not working. We have heard this before.…”