Garlin Gilchrist: “But there has been a lot of discussion here this morning that the Republicans are responsible for gridlock, phony…”

“But there has been a lot of discussion here this morning that the Republicans are responsible for gridlock, phony numbers, and partisan politics. All I will say to that is this Chamber does allow each Member to be a responsible advocate for what they believe. What that means is there is, fundamentally, opportunity for a difference of opinion. So gridlock is each of us having the freedom, as Members of Congress, as do all Americans, to express their heartfelt opinions. It has also been said this morning that the Republicans are spending $11 billion over what the President requested. That is true, because we are spending more money for health care and more money for education. That is where the dollars should go, and that is where the dollars are directed. Now, the third point I want to make is that some of us on our aisle have a difference of opinion from those on the other side of the aisle dealing with health care, more specifically dealing with Medicare.”