Political Quotes

“I understand the Senator from New Hampshire is going to go next. I ask unanimous consent that the time until 5 p.m. be equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, that Senators be permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, and that any time in a quorum be equally divided between Democrats and Republicans. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from New Hampshire. MS. AYOTTE. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about an issue we are all very concerned about, particularly in my home State of New Hampshire; that is, the rising student loan rates. In fact, one study that looked at it for the class of 2011 found that for New Hampshire, the average load of debt for the class of 2011 was $32,000--over $32,000. Like the Senator from Florida, I have experienced it personally as well. I would not have been able to get a law degree or to have the education that I have without the ability to take out student loans-- and only paid them off, fortunately, right as we had our first child. So this was something that--basically, I used to call it ``I had a mortgage to pay'' to pay off my student loans. But I was grateful for the opportunity to get those loans and get the education that I was able to receive. We want to make sure all students are able to pursue higher education in the most affordable way possible. Here is where we are today. This is such a complete, typical Washington deal.…”