Political Quotes

“I rise at this moment to oppose the amendment that is going to be offered by my colleague and friend from Louisiana Senator Kennedy. This amendment would endanger the lives of thousands, if not millions, of innocent people and prolong this terrible coronavirus pandemic. I am sure that is the not the intention of the Senator from Louisiana, but that is what his effort would do. His amendment would gut a critical tool to help stop the spread of the pandemic globally, as well as stem the economic fallout that would hurt us here in America. The International Monetary Fund has a fund with the ability to release money in what are called Special Drawing Rights, foreign exchange reserve assets that it maintains. This can be exchanged by member nations for hard currency in times of crisis. This is exactly what was done in 2009 amid the global economic crisis and what is being considered now amid the pandemic and related economic downturn. The amendment, which I am going to offer, has the support of American business, labor, and global health, and poverty groups--for good reason. The Special Drawing Rights are a no cost way for Americans to help poor nations buy the vaccines they need to save lives and to stop the spread of this coronavirus. And it would also help aid in economic recovery. Isn't that exactly what we should be doing at this moment? This pandemic doesn't know any boundaries. This virus doesn't pick and choose good nations and bad nations.…”