Rob Menendez actually said...

"I always believe the starting point always has consequence, and I hear a lot about spending, which I agree is a challenge and something we need to tackle."

"I believe that the legislation, together with stronger regulatory standards for bank capital and liquidity now being developed will place our financial system on a sounder foundation and minimize the ..."

"So raising the debt is a negative. And if I do that in a way in which I don't offset that, that would be a negative, would it not be?"

"So it was necessary."