Political Quotes

“Mr. President, at this very critical time in our country's history--a time when we have over a $14 trillion debt and we are desperately trying to find ways to reduce government spending and there looms the possibility of a government shutdown--I think we would be best served trying to provide some information to our constituents and, as politicians, resisting the temptation to throw rotten apples at each other. I also think it would be wise for the media to not hype or overhype a situation regarding a government shutdown but to try to put things into perspective. So let me try to do that for a moment this morning. In the first place, obviously we are trying to reach agreement. I compliment the majority leader, Senator Reid, who just spoke, and the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, for their efforts to get together and bridge the differences between the two parties--the two bodies--and to reach an agreement. In the last 2 or 3 days, the President has also weighed in on the issue, and I think he too is trying very hard to help the parties reach an agreement. Notwithstanding that fact, under the law, tonight at midnight, the funding for much of the government stops, and the question is, What can be done about that? The House of Representatives has passed a bill. They passed it yesterday. The Senate could take up that bill and pass it. It would keep the government running for another week.…”