Political Quotes

“I appreciate my colleague, Mr. Holt, for giving me a moment today. I rise to thank Chairman Hastings, Ranking Member DeFazio, and all the other Members in the House and in the Senate who are involved in resolving the helium reserve issue. While Americans are rightfully frustrated with gridlock in Washington--gridlock and posturing that right now is threatening a government shutdown and damage to our economy--today we are voting on a negotiated path forward, a more fair solution, that will ensure a stable supply of helium for businesses and will reduce our deficit by an estimated $90 million over the next 10 years. From the beginning of the discussion over the future of the Helium Stewardship Act this year, I've taken a keen interest in the issue, as helium is a linchpin for Connecticut's economy. From refiners like Praxair to end users like hospitals and manufacturers, the health of the helium market supports thousands of jobs in my State. Once again, I want to thank Chairman Hastings for working with everyone at the table to make some last-minute changes to address legitimate and justified concerns. This sort of bipartisan, respectful cooperation and compromise is just what our country needs and just what our country wants.”