Political Quotes

“I am very pleased that we are extending the payroll tax cut through the end of the year, which is essential to support our continued economic recovery. I am also pleased that we are providing unemployment benefits to ensure that millions of Americans have access to benefits they so urgently need and that we are implementing the doc fix to ensure that seniors on Medicare can continue to see the physicians of their choice. That said, there are a number of provisions in this agreement that deeply disappoint me. {time} 1050 For example, this agreement will reduce by 30 weeks the maximum number of weeks of unemployment insurance available to residents of States with average unemployment rates. While the unemployment picture certainly improved in January with the creation of 243,000 jobs and a reduction in the unemployment rate of 8.3, there are still 12.8 million people unemployed in this Nation and millions more who work part-time but want full-time work. For millions of our fellow citizens, unemployment benefits are truly a lifeline. I'm also deeply disappointed that the conference report requires new Federal workers to contribute more to their pensions. Our Federal employees are not a piggy bank. We should not reach into their pockets anytime we need to pay for something. Federal workers are the backbone of our government.…”