Political Quotes

“My colleague from Vermont is onto something. One of the things the control board can actually do is set the budget for Puerto Rico. As you and I both know--you have been on the Budget Committee for some time--probably the most significant things Members of Congress can set is a budget, which is a reflection of our priorities, right? How much do we believe we should spend on education, on health care? How do we provide tax breaks so students don't graduate under a mountain of debt--something my distinguished colleague has made a major issue in his Presidential campaign. How do we ensure we give tax breaks, such as the earned-income tax credit which the people of Puerto Rico don't get access to. The budget sets a series of standards. The control board will set that budget. If it wants to view austerity as its fiscal idea as to how you achieve prosperity--prosperity through austerity--it will be able to do that. I think the Senator is right. An example of that is when there are provisions included that really have no place in a bill for restructuring, that talk about eliminating the minimum-wage guarantees for certain parts of the Puerto Rican society and eliminating overtime protections. I am sure the Senator from Vermont is concerned about those.”