Tom Harkin actually said...

"The status quo is not acceptable, and it is not acceptable during economic downturns to say that we are just going to take a lot of this out of the hide of education."

"I can't think of a more important thing to do in the immediate timeframe than that."

"That is why later today I will introduce a bill--the Keep Our Educators Working Act."

"We are going to do everything we can, and I am going to ask for your help and the President's help in getting this done."