Political Quotes

“let me say at the outset I want to acknowledge the leadership role that has been played by my colleague, the Senator from Nebraska, who preceded me on the floor. He is calling on us as Members of the Senate and the House to face the reality that entitlement programs need reform. Senator Kerrey has oftentimes been a lonely voice in that effort. It is not altogether a popular position to take and yet it is necessary. I admire him for his leadership and his candor, and I think that we in the Senate should heed his advice that we must resolve ourselves into the business of addressing the needs of these entitlement programs--Social Security and Medicare in particular--on a long-term basis. What I am about to speak to today in no way should reflect on Senator Kerrey's effort or the effort of others for meaningful reform with Medicare. But the issue which I address is one included in this reconciliation bill which I feel is fundamentally wrong and fundamentally unfair.”