Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today the Speaker and Republican leader held a press conference to announce they are in talks with the President and that a bargain to raise the debt ceiling is in the works and is close. Mr. President, Members of the Senate, that is not true. I just spent 2 hours with the President and Vice President and Leader Pelosi. It is fair for me to say that the engagement there is not in any meaningful way. The Republican leader still refused to negotiate in good faith. Revenue is off the calendar--no way we can talk about revenues. Entitlements--oh, they are after entitlements: Medicare, Social Security. The Speaker and Republican leader should know that merely saying we have an agreement in front of television cameras doesn't make it so. The Republican leader at the press event says he is engaged. Fortunately, Members of his caucus, at least as far as I am concerned, and my Members, are more engaged than he is. There are meaningful talks going on with some of his Members with some of my Senators. While the Republican leader is holding meaningless press conferences, his Members are reaching out to me, and other Members, as I have just indicated. They are coming forward with thoughtful ideas to try to move the process forward. I welcome their ideas and ask all Members to continue these discussions. America is watching us, and they are demanding a result that is balanced.…”