Political Quotes

“I guess we are technically still talking about our reauthorization of the SBIR and STTR Programs. Senator Snowe and I have been working through the week to manage this bill on the floor, and I wish to again say how pleased I am with the progress we made this week. I know we have had about three or four votes on amendments, and there are others that are pending, but we have made progress. I truly appreciate the cooperation of all the Members. This is a very important program. We have struggled, as I have said, for 6 years to get this program reauthorized. While everybody is running around fussing about programs that do not work, it is important for us to focus on those programs that do work, particularly those programs that work to create private sector jobs. It is important for us to stay focused on reducing and, hopefully, eliminating our Federal debt and reducing annual deficits. That is going to be done when we do a couple of things all at one time. It is not going to be done by standing on the sidelines, slashing and burning discretionary domestic spending only, particularly some of the best programs in America. It is going to be done by thoughtful cuts and eliminations of some programs that don't work, some thoughtful eliminations and cuts to the Defense budget.…”