Political Quotes

“I appreciate the two Senators from Michigan being the only ones on the floor right now objecting and saying this has nothing to do with Detroit, but, of course, it does. I am very sorry to hear this objection. There is no objection on the Republican side. Of course there would be an objection if, in fact, this legislation would bar normal Federal grants and normal Federal loans unrelated to a bailout of a State or a municipality in bankruptcy mode, but it doesn't do that. The legislation is very specific and very targeted. It is about a bailout of a State or locality in bankruptcy mode, and that is what it is about. It is not about normal routine Federal funding, and that is why there is no Republican objection. One of the distinguished Senators from Michigan makes the point that Detroit has not formally asked for a bailout. That is true so far. But when the mayor talked to the Wall Street Journal about this, he ``left the door open for a Federal bailout after the city's bankruptcy filing.'' When asked directly whether Detroit would seek a Federal bailout, Mayor Bing said, ``Not yet.'' Similarly, the Governor of Michigan Rick Snyder didn't support a bailout but said on CBS's ``Face the Nation:'' ``If the Federal Government wants to do that, that's their option.'' That is not exactly not opening the door and considering that opportunity. Again, I didn't file this bill in the last 2 weeks. I originally filed this bill in February of 2011.…”