Political Quotes

“Well, for a week now, the Republicans said no to a CR funding the entire government unless there was defunding of health care reform. That was the bludgeon. It did not work. So the Republicans shut down the government. It turns out that tactic was in the works for a year, as described in The New York Times yesterday: One morning in a location the Members insist on keeping secret, came a little-noticed ``blueprint to defund ObamaCare'' signed by leaders of more than three dozen conservative groups. It articulated a take-no-prisoners legislative strategy that had long percolated in conservative circles: that Republicans could derail the health care overhaul if conservative lawmakers were willing to push fellow Republicans--including their cautious leaders--into cutting off financing for the entire government. So now we have a shift. Keep the government shut down, let government not pay its bills. Why? Because the Speaker said it would be ``unconditional surrender.'' That isn't what's needed. We don't need another supercommittee. What we need is to be allowed to vote. This poster shows 195 Democrats willing to reopen the government; 22 Republicans on record. That's a majority of the House. Mr. Speaker, let democracy prevail. Let us vote.”