Political Quotes

“I rise to speak on a matter that is a real concern to me and many in this body but, most importantly, to the citizens of this country. It has to do with efforts to climb out of this long recession. There are still pockets of the United States--the Presiding Officer's home State, my State--that feel as if we have not made any progress. When I talk with business owners in my State, I know they are still weathering the storm, looking to invest in a down economy, and they want to start hiring again. That is why I am glad we are, once again, debating a small business bill and that I have a chance to reintroduce the bipartisan Small Business Lending Enhancement Act as an amendment. I have to say, this is a little like ``Groundhog Day.'' I am looking at my friend from the State of Louisiana. In October of last year, a report by the New York Federal Reserve said three-quarters of small businesses looking for credit last summer were turned down or received only some of the financing they requested. In this report from the Federal Reserve, they stated: ``Reports from small-business owners of a credit gap have been both vocal and frequent.'' We in Congress have decided to act on and try to extend additional credit to small businesses because more credit means additional growth and, therefore, increased job creation. Unfortunately--I should say ``fortunately'' we created a $30 billion lending fund for banks.…”