Kendrick Meek: “Or allow Americans to get themselves in that position. I know that this is a country based on freedom but not based on…”

“Or allow Americans to get themselves in that position. I know that this is a country based on freedom but not based on ignorance. It is important that we share this information. If we know better, we will do better. And the bottom line is, if the leadership was in place here in this House, the $300 million that I spoke of that took place in the 108th Congress in the closing days of the Congress has reduced the amount of money that students are able to get as it relates to their Pell Grants, it never would have happened if we were in control, if this was a Democratic House. So the challenge has to be there for the majority side to do better; and the bottom line is, better is not happening when it comes down to those kinds of statistics that you have there, Mr. Ryan, that the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) just spoke about. I think it is important that we remember. So we talk about solutions. Solutions is making sure that we make good decisions and we have good leaders in place that will allow legislation to either be stopped that is bad, coming from the other body, or recommendations from the White House, just say no, this will not happen. We are looking for future generations, and we are here to protect future generations. But the bottom line is, if we continue to do this kind of rubber- stamping that is going on here on Capitol Hill, we are going to continue to go on a downward spiral. The deficit will continue to get higher. In the 108th Congress, Ms.…”