Frank Lautenberg: “I rise to challenge the obstinacy of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to prevent us from doing anything…”

“I rise to challenge the obstinacy of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to prevent us from doing anything that can help ordinary families in our country get back on their feet and succeed. As a matter of fact, it was very clearly stated by the minority leader, the Republican leader, to tell us that his No. 1 priority--imagine that, the leader of the Republican Party in the Senate, his No. 1 priority is to make sure President Obama is a one- term President. I ask, what good is that to the people who do not have jobs or the people whose mortgages are about to be foreclosed or their kids can't get an education no matter how smart they are because it is impossible to afford it? Imagine, stated proudly on the floor of this Senate, that the mission is to destroy the Presidency. Shame on him. His No. 1 priority--not to create jobs, prevent another financial crisis or keep our children safe and healthy; it is just that cynical goal of destroying the Presidency, no matter how much harm, no matter how much pain these actions inflict on our general population. It is a disgrace. We have seen what the Republicans are willing to do to accomplish this goal. They brought our Nation to the brink of default. They shut down the Federal Aviation Administration. They had to be dragged kicking and screaming to extend the payroll tax cut--just to name a few of the most egregious examples.…”