Political Quotes

“I greatly respect Senator Hatch and his respect for the integrity of our system. I know he is acting with his sincere beliefs, but I am disappointed and I need to say that. The inspector general's report is a serious investigation. It involves episodes that took place during the previous administration in which the Commissioner was appointed by a Republican. There is no indication at all of Carolyn Colvin being the subject of the investigation. In fact, she has tried to take steps to be totally open and transparent about what has happened and has been totally forthcoming with our committee, the Ways and Means Committee, in providing information. I wish to stress what Senator Mikulski said about the urgency of this matter. If we don't confirm her during the lameduck session, it will be more than 2 years that the Social Security Administration has operated without a confirmed Commissioner. This is one of the most important agencies in the government. As an Acting Commissioner, she cannot appoint her key team in order to carry out the responsibilities of the Social Security Administration. The morale of the agency is very much impacted when you can't get a confirmed Commissioner. Quite frankly, the Senate Finance Committee recommended her appointment 3 months ago, and as Senator Hatch pointed out, it was a 22-to-2 vote. The vote in the Senate Finance Committee at that time was not even close, and now we cannot get her confirmed.…”