Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise today to speak about my decision, after a lot of serious contemplation, to support the legislation before us. I believe that Minnesotans deserve a better deal than this one. But unfortunately, this is the one we have. For Minnesota's middle class, there is a lot in this bill that will not only be helpful but is absolutely critical. It stops their taxes from going up on January 1. It provides a payroll tax holiday that gives families making $50,000 a year a $1,000 tax break. For Minnesotans who are truly suffering right now--men, women, and children on the edge of economic disaster--it reinstates emergency Federal unemployment benefits that expired at the end of last month. Not restoring these benefits would be devastating to Minnesota families and to our economy, leading to a lot more pain for working families, a lot more homeless kids spending Christmas in a shelter or a car. I came here to make people's lives better, and so I must vote to pass this legislation. But this was perhaps the hardest vote I have ever taken so far as a Senator. I wish to tell you why. We have spent the better part of a year talking about the ballooning deficit. Republicans and Democrats agree--in every decision we make, every penny we spend, we need to keep in mind that it will be added to our national debt. At the same time, we need to be mindful of our fragile economic recovery.…”