Political Quotes

On the recordFebruary 25, 2010
The Senator from Alaska is correct. I want to make it clear for the record, because the Senator from Tennessee came and asked me why we didn't offer to the Senator from Kentucky an opportunity to have an amendment to pay for these unemployment benefits out of the stimulus package, that was offered to him. He said, no, he didn't want to have an amendment offered on the floor because he wasn't sure he could pass the amendment. So he was offered the same chance that every Senator has had to take his idea before the Senate and to get a majority vote. That is not an unreasonable thing. That is how the Senate works. I would also say to the Senator from Kentucky that if he believes we have surplus funds in the stimulus or Reinvestment and Recovery Act that can be spent on unemployment and the like, I am afraid he is wrong. It is important to note that of the $166 billion in funds remaining to be obligated, almost every dollar has already been spoken for, even if not yet obligated.
Said by
Dick Durbin
Democratic · Illinois
Source
govinfo.gov
Feb 25, 2010

Editor's note · Context

Senator Durbin addresses the funding of unemployment benefits and the use of stimulus package funds.

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