Political Quotes

“I thank the Chair. The last topic I wish to talk about is my vote yesterday to move forward on a tax bill, the framework of which was sent to us by President Obama. There were negotiations with our Republican colleagues and then one very important addition was made to the bill. Many of us in the Senate wanted that--and I am grateful for that addition--and it was the 1603 program, which is critical to our clean energy businesses and will result in tens of thousands of jobs. This will allow companies that are moving forward with solar, wind, and geothermal projects--clean energy projects--to essentially get a tax credit up front. That is essential because there are a lot of plans on the drawing board. If this hadn't been renewed, we would have lost those plans, and we would have lost those jobs. So I am very pleased about that. So much has been said about this tax bill, and I don't know that I am going to say anything that is going to add to the debate, but I wished to lay out some of what compelled me to vote yes to move that bill forward. It is kind of summed up in a San Jose Mercury News editorial, where they say: More than three-quarters of the spending will go to middle- and lower-income families through tax cuts, tax credits for working families, and unemployment insurance. That is the San Jose Mercury News. One could quibble that maybe it is 50 percent, more than 50 percent or maybe 60 percent, but the fact is, this bill will be a help to the middle class.”