Political Quotes

“Mr. President, it is my understanding that I have 15 minutes to make my presentation. I thank Senator Inouye for enabling that. I oppose the Coburn motion to place a 3-year moratorium on earmarks. I thank Chairman Inouye for his leadership on this issue. It seems, as has been said over the years, that we have heard this song before. If Members really believe these programs are responsible for our terrible fiscal condition, they are wrong. It is make believe. The deficit we are wrestling with had its biggest boost during the Bush years when 8 years of tax cuts for the wealthiest among us brought a $2 trillion increase in the national debt. But we never hear about that. Earmarks are a vital investment for our communities. They help build levees, dams that protect coastal towns from flooding. Look at the water shortages across the country. A lot of these are helped by earmarks, by congressionally designated programs. We earmark funds for waste and drinking water problems, very serious problems. These are not frivolous ideas. They help police departments, first responders, hospital upgrades, and the purchase of new equipment. Look at transportation. It is falling apart. These earmarks, congressionally designated, build roads, bridges, and rail stations that strengthen our transportation infrastructure.…”