The Public Record
Joseph Lieberman is an American politician and attorney who served as a United States Senator from Connecticut from 1989 to 2013. Initially a member of the Democratic Party, he gained national prominence as the party's nominee for Vice President in the 2000 election alongside Al Gore. After losing the election, Lieberman continued to serve in the Senate, where he became known for his centrist views and willingness to cross party lines, particularly on issues such as national security and energy policy.
As we all know, on this past Christmas Day, December 25, 2009, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab slipped through the multi-layered defenses we have erected since September 11, 2001, to stop attacks against our homeland and boarded Northwest Flight…
the question of borrowing capacity and what the limits of America's borrowing capacity are.
I will say that as I listen to you and think about this, that it is clear that the preferable course is a statutory commission because then we really create a process.
But as a very practical matter, if we pass this commission today or within the near term, we would be sending a message, an unequivocal message to the world that America is going to stand up to our problem and we are going to do something…
I want to make clear when I said you were leading a rebellion that it is a patriotic rebellion to help the government do what it should do.
Our country will not be what it has been for the generations before, including the one privileged to live in this country and to be Americans today.
I have also argued before Senator Schumer's subcommittee that there is a very unusual pattern of our immigration...
The American people have reached a tipping point on this. They are getting it.
We need a special commission that will engage the American people with the facts and the truth and the tough choices.
It is very significant. I am not suggesting that we increase illegal immigration as a way to deal with the debt, but it does have those positive economic implications.
We are irresponsible. We like to spend money and we do not like to raise taxes.
the only reason I believe--well, two reasons. One is that the problem, the debt, is getting so serious for our country.
I would just say to those members, I respect the jurisdiction of your committees, but even more than that, I believe the threat posed by the debt crisis in this country supercedes any commitment to the jurisdiction of any specific…
we do not know where that actual borrowing capacity, it is essential that we take actions well in advance.
the work of any task force like you and I have proposed will not just be formidable, but it is critical to our country's future.
We ought to put a green card on their diploma, assuming that they pass all the other tests.
We need to change our immigration policy to focus more on skills and knowledge.
I think we have a reasonable opportunity here, a reasonable chance to begin the process.
I will say for myself--I think you know this, and I think I speak for Senator Voinovich, but obviously he will speak for himself--that though we have sponsored another proposal, the proposal that you and Senator Conrad have put forward is…
If we had a significant increase in America in, obviously, legal immigration, that would be one way to grow the economic pie.
If there is anything I am certain of, I am certain that the regular order is not going to take on this burgeoning debt.
Politicians like Joe Lieberman
