Political Quotes

“I am thankful the Senate is taking up the appropriations bills. The appropriations process is the only way citizens can truly hold their elected representatives accountable. It also allows the American people to see just what the priorities are for the Senate. Through my votes upon appropriations bills, I have to decide which government programs to prioritize and which government programs need to be cut. These are tough choices, but Nebraskans sent me to Washington to make these hard decisions. Again, I am hopeful that the Senate is taking up these bills and that we can make important spending decisions on behalf of the American people. That is why I am proud to join Senators Coats, Toomey, and Flake to submit an amendment that targets what I see is overspending in the Energy and Water appropriations bill. This amendment would wind down the Department of Energy's troubled Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. The ATVM Program was designed to provide loans for businesses that produce fuel- efficient, advanced-technology vehicles and components in the United States. The program was created in 2007. In 2009, Congress appropriated $7.5 billion in subsidies to cover $25 billion in loans authorized under that program. Unfortunately, as Senator Coats and Senator Toomey have pointed out, this program has struggled for many years. The record speaks for itself. Take Fisker Automotive as an example.…”