Political Quotes

“I thank you for yielding and for the opportunity to stand up and talk on the rule here that is before us that would allow the so- called ``jobs'' bill to move forward. I've had to think long and hard about my position on this because I do favor every opportunity to increase jobs. I have one county with nearly 18 percent unemployment. Florida is in the top 10 States with unemployment with 11.8 percent, and I understand we're going to get some even grimmer news tomorrow on the job front nationally. I have to oppose the rule, and reluctantly I'm going to oppose the bill. Many people, because I'm the Republican leader of the Transportation Committee, have asked me how I'm going to vote on the final bill and final passage, and it's a reluctant ``no.'' And let me tell you why. The substance of my opposition really lies in what the Rules Committee did. If we ever needed a time to amend, we should have had an opportunity to amend this. And we have time to send it back to the Senate. The previous speaker, a Democrat from the other side of the aisle--I believe the gentleman from Texas--stated his opposition to a tax provision, but let me tell folks that are listening, Madam Speaker, and the Members that may be concerned about this. When the Senate passed the transportation provision, four States take 58 percent of the new money in this in transportation projects of national significance. Those States, I believe, are California, Illinois, the State of Washington and Louisiana.…”