On the recordFebruary 25, 2010
I thought maybe we had gotten through to the Senator from Kentucky. It is interesting, he wants to talk about everything except the unemployed people affected by his objection. I say to the Senator from Kentucky, we can relitigate all you want. The fact is, the Medicare prescription drug program, which costs $400 billion over a 10-year period of time, is not paid for and you voted for it. So when it comes to deficit reduction, you pick and choose those issues that you will spend money on. Tonight you are making it clear that you will not spend money to help unemployed people--people across Kentucky and across Illinois. Some of these stories I received from my State I am sure you received from your State. Here is one from a woman in Bullhead City, IL: My husband and I are in our fifties and lost our jobs in 2008. I knew immediately we were in trouble so we took our savings and moved to a state park where rent is $400 a month, including utilities. They were living in a camper. My husband has gotten sick and not been able to see a doctor as we have no medical insurance, our unemployment benefits ran out in August and we have no income. The $400 rent that seemed so cheap a year ago is now a struggle to pay. To keep our phone and Internet on is a struggle, yet imperative-- Because that is the way they look for jobs. Neither of us has ever been without until now. I have found that it is more and more difficult and our spirits are at an all-time low.
