Political Quotes

“Let me give Members my ideas why the President does not like the provision in the disaster relief bill that would continue Government operations at 100 percent of the previous year's level if for some reason an appropriation was not passed into law. It is because if the President passes that provision, he feels he cannot force Congress to put in those increases in appropriation bills that he would like to have. He found out in the last 2 years that he can win in deciding how much to spend on social programs by vetoing appropriation bills and close down Government. He has learned and he thinks he knows that with the help of the liberal press he can spin this politically so he can demand any spending he wants out of Congress in those appropriation bills and simply say, ``If you don't put in those appropriation bills that I, the President, want, then I'm going to veto it and any government close-down is going to be the Republicans fault. If worse comes to worse, it is reasonable to keep Government open and operating at 100 percent of the previous year's level, and not let the President of the United States take over the spending responsibility of the legislative branch and dictate to Congress what is going to be in those appropriation bills.”