John Ensign: “I wish to talk about the extension of unemployment benefits in the larger context of our national debt. Allow me the…”

“I wish to talk about the extension of unemployment benefits in the larger context of our national debt. Allow me the opportunity to throw out a few numbers which I then will explain in a few minutes: $30 billion, $200 billion, $13 trillion, $114,000, and 60 percent of GDP. To many Americans, these numbers are just that--numbers with no real meaning to them. Unfortunately, the same can be said for many here in the Senate as well. These are just simple numbers without consequence. Nothing can be further from the truth. These five numbers are markers along the road to fiscal catastrophe that we are heading down at full speed. These five numbers together are symbols of the great threat to the stability of our country, both today and in the future. So the $30 billion number. Fourteen percent of Nevadans are unemployed at this point. People are hurting across my State. We lead the country in unemployment. Well, a lot has been said on the issue of extending unemployment benefits, and while this issue has become one of political fodder and partisanship, the facts on this issue have been left out in favor of high-strung rhetoric and political opportunity. Let me take a moment to explain to my constituents the real debate on this issue. I, along with my Republican colleagues, believe that extending these benefits for the unemployed should be a top priority here in the Senate.”