Political Quotes

“Thank you, Madam President. I wish to thank the Senator from Illinois for his remarks and his leadership on this topic because I feel the same way. Finally, finally, finally, we are going to vote and have enough votes to pass the extension of unemployment insurance--unemployment insurance. It is insurance against being unemployed. That is what it is. It is not some grant. It is not some giveaway. It is not an earmark. It is insurance. It is social insurance, created by the United States of America in partnership with the private sector and the people who work every day so that when they hit a speed bump and have to be laid off through no fault of their own, there will be a safety net so they do not fall. It is insurance. It is social insurance. It is a social contract, and it is a social compact. In my mind, it is like having a treaty with the American people. We don't violate treaties, and we shouldn't violate this social contract. But oh, no, not our Senate. We had to dilly-dally around for month after month with the obstructionist tactics of the other side, using out-of-date procedures of this institution that belong in another century and another economy. My constituents are frustrated. They are frustrated about their lives, they are frustrated about the direction of the country, and they are sure frustrated with the Senate--and put me in that corner. It is time we not only get the country moving, it is time we get the Senate moving.…”