Political Quotes

“the spending bill we consider today contains many provisions that address urgent needs facing our Nation's economy, our Nation's families, and our Nation's troops. Among the most important, this legislation extends unemployment insurance benefits at a time where too many Americans are struggling to find jobs, it postpones six Medicaid regulations that would have impeded access to health care for those who need it most, and it provides veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with a new level of educational benefits that will cover the full costs of an education at a State institution. We have an obligation to respond to the growing economic crisis and the needs it has created for American families. People are losing their homes and their jobs, and along with those jobs, their health care. Since March 2007, the number of unemployed has increased by 1.1 million workers. We learned a few weeks ago that the unemployment rate in our country shot up by a half a point, from approximately 5 to 5.5 percent. The Baltimore Sun reported last week that the Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake's Baltimore center has seen an estimated 50 percent increase in clients seeking job placement assistance. This bill includes provisions that respond to these growing needs. It extends unemployment benefits by 13 weeks for all the Nation's workers. Extending unemployment insurance this way helps families. That is critically important. But it will also help our economy.”