Max Baucus: “I wish to underline the gravity of the financial condition our country is headed to at this point. I think in the…”

“I wish to underline the gravity of the financial condition our country is headed to at this point. I think in the back-and-forth we tend to overlook just how serious this matter is. Here in the Capitol we walk in the footprints of our forefathers. Walking through these halls, their presence is felt at every turn. Just outside this Chamber are the likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and dozens of statesmen cast in bronze and marble. At the end of this month a new leader will be added to the halls of Congress--Winston Churchill. A bust of the late Prime Minister will be added to the Capitol collection in the National Statutory Hall later this month. Churchill once said, ``The price of greatness is responsibility.'' We here in Congress have a great responsibility--a responsibility to conduct the business of this Nation, to represent and do what is right for our people and help the people we represent. That is our responsibility here. However, the inaction of a small group of Members in the House has crippled Congress and is now threatening to impede the ability of the United States to fulfill one of its greatest responsibilities--to pay the government's bills. It is completely irresponsible to threaten to default on the Nation's debt. Since 1789 this country has always honored its obligations. Even when the White House and Capitol were burned to the ground right here in 1814, America still honored its debts. America is the greatest country on Earth.…”