Bob Menendez: “I join my colleague from Hawaii in her remarks and her opposition to the Ayotte amendment. I wish to start off by simply…”

“I join my colleague from Hawaii in her remarks and her opposition to the Ayotte amendment. I wish to start off by simply saying that when we are talking about extending unemployment insurance benefits to Americans who have played by the rules, done everything right, and through no fault of their own find themselves unemployed, many long-term unemployed, and who are trying to get a job but still, despite an economy that is improving, have not seen the job market increase significantly so that they can attain that job--what they need at this time is not a kick in the pants, they need a helping hand so that they can sustain their families during this period of time and continue to be in a position to do that which the law requires of them: continue to look for a job and eventually find that job. The reality is that this is not an ideological battle, I hope, in a greater political war. It is about real people and the lives of real people. I don't think we can lose sight of that simple fact. Political ideology doesn't trump faith and family values. It does not trump reason or compassion or the acceptance that we are all in this together. Having said that, I am encouraged that there is bipartisan support for repealing the military pension cuts. I opposed those. I am committed to ensuring that our brave men and women and their families receive all the care and resources they deserve, both during their service and throughout their lives.…”