Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for his comment. Given the fact, as the gentleman pointed out, that this crisis has been known to us for over 5, 6 months now, that we were going to confront this, I understand that in the Cut, Cap, and Balance pledge that has been put forward--I don't know whether it's going to be put forward in the legislation--but the pledge says that your side or-- excuse me--the people who sign the pledge, whatever side they're on, are going to ``oppose any debt limit increase unless all three of the following conditions have been met:'' One, ``Substantial cuts in spending that will reduce the deficit next year and thereafter.'' It seems to me that we passed a budget through this House that does that. It doesn't reach balance, of course, until some 30 years from now. Secondly, it says, as a condition for voting for a debt extension, ``Enforceable spending caps that will put Federal spending on a path to a balanced budget.'' As you know, we've had discussions in the White House on caps and what they apply to, whether they are a percentage of GDP or they're actually caps in spending, which obviously escalate the denigration of the ability to deliver services over the years, depending upon the flexibility that's incorporated. I haven't seen the legislation, of course.…”