Mitch Landrieu: “I have not yet expressed an objection, but I am considering it on the grounds--I am not yet expressing objection, but I…”

“I have not yet expressed an objection, but I am considering it on the grounds--I am not yet expressing objection, but I am considering it, respectfully, having complimented the junior Senator for the great work he has done, because I am hesitant to accept terms of aid that are applied only to us and to no one else, and not because the junior Senator objects or other Senators, but because the House of Representatives, which is in control of the Republican leadership, has decided that the only way that they will amend the law is to force us alone, uniquely, to have to agree to pay it back, when no one else in America, in the past or the future, will be required to do so. That is a hard thing for the senior Senator to agree to, but I am considering it, if maybe that is our only option. But you can understand why I might be a little bit exercised about the House of Representatives saying to people who are desperate--like on the front page of the National Geographic--we know you are suffering, we know you need help, there is no question you have no money to pay your bills, there is no question that we have lent other people money and forgiven their loans, there is no question that this is the worst natural disaster in the history of the country--but the only way we will compromise with you, Senator Landrieu and Senator Vitter and Senator Frist and Senator Reid, is if your desperate people promise to pay the loan back. And, by the way, we are only making the law for you.”