Political Quotes

“You also raised the very, very important part is that the industrial strength of America has almost always occurred as a result of the research and innovation that has been the hallmark of America. You mentioned the COMPETES Act which deals with energy research in the United States. It deals with scientific research. It's an extremely important one, and unfortunately, our Republican colleagues refused to support that bill when it was here on the House floor. We had enough Democrats at that time to move the bill out. Also, as I recall, I wasn't here and my two colleagues were here at the time--it was the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the stimulus bill, that created the largest increase in scientific research ever in America's history. Now, the public may not appreciate that, but that research is finding its way into every part of our industrial future, and from that, the billions of additional dollars that were spent, two things happened: scientists, technicians, lab techs, engineers were employed. They had jobs, and they were developing the future industries of America. Enough from me. Let me turn to my compatriot from the Midwest. Mr. Ellison, you have a very, very important part of the country. It wasn't particularly friendly to us Democrats but friendly to you because of your outstanding leadership. So please share with us your experience there in the upper Midwest.”