Political Quotes

“The American public is sitting there in sort of stunned disbelief. Here we all acknowledge this huge problem that needs to be addressed for the 8.5 million people who have lost their job, the 7 million who have lost their homes, their retirement income. We know from all of the statistics what this financial crisis has caused. Over the last year and a half, we have been busy trying to come up with the answers on how to solve this problem in the future. Here we are, with about 14 weeks left to go before the close of this Congress, with a bill on the floor of the Senate that we put together over many weeks and months--on a bipartisan basis, I might add. Here it is, Madam President. Now we are being told, despite the fact that 58 of us believe we ought to at least begin the debate--I am not asking anyone to vote for the bill. I am not asking you to vote for an amendment on the bill. All I am asking you is, Can we begin discussing this bill here? It is the job of this body to do so.”