Political Quotes

“Mr. Boehner and I did attempt to pursue some meaningful restraints last week, and unfortunately, we couldn't get agreement to do so on your side of the aisle. Having said that, we certainly agree that we need to get a handle on the extraordinary deficit picture that confronts us. I know I am repetitive, but in 2001, President Bush came before the Congress and said we have a $5.6 trillion surplus. Unfortunately, that $5.6 trillion surplus was eliminated, and in fact, $5 trillion of additional deficit was incurred, giving us a $10 trillion deficit when this administration took over. That's unfortunate. I will tell the gentleman, as he knows, he and others have voted for trillions, that's with a T, of dollars of unfunded liabilities for the Federal Government, either reduction in revenues, which of course you say will grow the economy--unfortunately, it did not--or a prescription drug bill which was not paid for which was hundreds of billions of dollars, not minimal dollars. But I will tell the gentleman that we are interested in working with you in a meaningful way, not in procedural vote ways, but in meaningful ways to reduce the deficit that confronts us, including reducing areas of spending, which we think is appropriate.”