Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Tennessee for his comments. I share his concern about our deficit. I was a member of the Simpson-Bowles Commission, voted for the commission report, bipartisan effort to reduce the deficit by $4\1/2\ trillion over 10 years. I think we set in place a description, maybe a guidepost for how we can do this. I would agree with him that we need to take care in the money that we spend now which will add to the deficit, though I have to say my understanding is this transportation bill is paid for. There are revenue sources that are part of this. I know the student loan continued decrease in interest rates to 3.4 percent for student loans is paid for. I believe the changes within the Flood Insurance Program, which is part of this package as well, the Republican leader spoke to that this morning, reforms in that program will move it closer to sustainability and solvency. It is not where it needs to be, but it is moving closer. But I want to address, if I can, for a minute what has been a topic on the floor this morning about the planned cuts in the Department of Defense. Let me say at the outset what we all agree upon. No. 1, we never, ever want to shortchange America's security, never shortchange our men and women in uniform. A nephew of mine who serves as a doorman in the gallery recently returned from 1 year in Afghanistan. We were sending packages and were worried about Michael every day. He got home safely.…”