Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise today to discuss an incredibly important subject--our Nation's budget deficits. The deficit for fiscal year 2009 was about $1.4 trillion. The total national debt is now just under $13.2 trillion. These numbers are staggering and represent a tremendous threat to our Nation. We have been hearing a lot about these numbers over the last few months from Members on both sides of the aisle. We heard about the economic dangers of running these deficits--the dangers to us, to our children, and to the very future of this Nation. I share these concerns over the direction of our budget deficits and our rapidly growing debt. I have held these concerns for some time, as a matter of fact. In a New York Times op-ed way back in 1988--22 years ago--I expressed my alarm that we had gone from being the world's largest creditor Nation to its largest debtor Nation. I noted then that the accumulated trade and budget deficits of the Reagan years worked out to about $20,000 per American family. What frustrates me is that I have heard these deficit and debt numbers serve as an excuse for not passing an extension of unemployment benefits. We have been unable to get cloture on these extensions, despite spending weeks of the Senate's time on this matter and despite numerous attempts. Opponents say our deficits must be addressed, our debt cannot grow any larger, we have to draw a line in the sand and insist these benefits be fully paid for. This is troubling to me for two reasons.…”