Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I welcome following my distinguished colleague from Michigan and her impassioned plea against obstructionism. I have been facing the same challenges in particular with certain programs that are absolutely crucial for Louisiana but more broadly for the country. One that is absolutely important for all of us in Louisiana is the National Flood Insurance Program. It is a national program. It is important for our economy. It is important for the real estate industry. It is important for homeowners and closings around the country, for economic activity to move forward, particularly when we need every bit of economic activity in these tough times of recession. But it is really important in Louisiana. We face enormous flood threats so it is important there. Unfortunately, the extension of the present National Flood Insurance Program--which everyone, as far as I know, supports--is being held hostage, essentially, in this extenders bill. I have been trying to pry it loose from that so we can extend the program, not let it expire as it has expired--it expired June 1; it is not in operation today--get it back in place, get it fully extended through the rest of the calendar year. I would have thought this would be a ``no brainer,'' this would be consensus, this would not be partisan. It should not be. This is a simple extension of the National Flood Insurance Program. What is more, this extension does not create any additional deficit.…”