Political Quotes

“Madam President, this is a historic vote. It is one that has involved a lot of emotion and soul searching and a lot of hard work. The leaders are on the Senate floor--the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate, Senators Reid and McConnell. I salute both of them for working so hard to bring us to this moment where we have an opportunity to vote. The House has passed this legislation, the so-called Budget Control Act. The Senate will take it up shortly. It is my belief it will also pass in the Senate. But my vote for this legislation does not come without some pain. We are told in life to follow our conscience. On this matter, my conscience is conflicted. If this bill should fail, we will default on our Nation's debt. That will be the first time that has ever happened. If we should default at midnight tonight on our Nation's debt, terrible consequences will ensue. We will find America's credit rating in the world diminished, the interest rates we pay as a nation increased, and the cost of money for businesses and families across the United States will increase--at exactly the wrong time, in the midst of recession. If we fail to pass this legislation, tomorrow the Secretary of the Treasury will sit down with the President and decide in the month of August which Americans who were expecting a check will actually receive one. Will we pay Social Security recipients? Will we pay the members of our military? Will we pay the Central Intelligence Agency?…”