Chuck Grassley: “As a preliminary comment, I want everyone to know something loud and clear. We are all here to do the peoples' business.…”

“As a preliminary comment, I want everyone to know something loud and clear. We are all here to do the peoples' business. My Republican caucus is here to do the peoples' business. We are in an extraordinary time. Our Nation is at war. Our Commander in Chief, President Bush, is occupied with the war effort. Our responsibilities to the people that sent us here are always high, but, extraordinarily high in this time of war. This is not a time to play political games with the people's business. In my view, we have a high duty to deliver a legislative product to the President on economic stimulus and aid to dislocated workers. I have committed all of my energy to get to the goal line on a package. I believe my chairman, Senator Baucus, also sincerely wants a stimulus package that the President can sign. When you look at the record, however, I am doubtful the Senate Democratic leadership really wants a package.”