Frank Lautenberg: “everyone is aware of how deeply concerned the American people are about staying in their homes, about having adequate…”

“everyone is aware of how deeply concerned the American people are about staying in their homes, about having adequate health care, and about providing education and a better path for the lives of their children. But everyone also knows there is a group calling themselves the tea party, and they are busy trying to eliminate those opportunities. In Wisconsin, a tea party Governor is trying to take away workers' collective bargaining rights to be represented. It is like going into a courtroom without a lawyer. In Florida, another tea party Governor has killed the critical high-speed rail project by rejecting Federal grants of $2.4 billion to move it along. He threw it away, threw it back--$2.4 billion. Here in Congress, tea party activists have seized control of the Republican side of the aisle. But it is far from a tea party for lots of jobless people and those qualified to study in college but unable to pay the freight. Now that they are in power, we see them brewing a toxic tea--a dangerous concoction that will create pain for our children and ultimately bring shame to our country. We know cutting critical programs now brings sky-high prices later-- in more illnesses and a less educated society. So we look at the future, we say we have to invest in our children, our environment, and medical research. But every time they hear something we need, they say no.”