Political Quotes

“I rise in favor of the Obey substitute and in opposition to the President's $87 billion appropriation request for Iraq. I am not in opposition because it has been proposed by the Commander in Chief. I am not in opposition because I do not think that we should not help rebuild Iraq. We tore it down; therefore, we should help to build it back. I am not in opposition because some major companies are going to make a lot of money. Bechtel and Halliburton should be able to make money. Some people call it profiteering, but since it was supposedly for Iraq, then local Iraqi businesses and contractors should also be able to make money. Small businesses, minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses and others should be able to provide services and make some of the money. I am, however, opposed because all of the spending that will result from this $86.9 billion appropriation will be added to the public debt, the debt that would not be necessary if we were operating with rational tax and trade policies. I unequivocally support our troops, and I would love to vote for this supplemental to help rebuild Iraq, but I also would love to vote for health care for the millions who are uninsured. I would love to vote for affordable housing for millions who live in squalor. I would love to vote for the thousands and millions of poor children who need Head Start and cannot get it.”