Political Quotes

“let's put this in proper perspective. Gold prices are at the lowest level in 19 years as of just last week. The mining industry has seen layoffs. Some of the companies have filed bankruptcy. This seems like a very inopportune time to come in and attack the mining industry. It is an industry which creates the best blue-collar jobs in America. I repeat, the best blue-collar jobs in America come from mining. Here is the Senator from Arkansas, again, as he does every year, attacking the mining industry. This year the attack is at a very inopportune time. I repeat, the mining industry is going through some very difficult times. In spite of paying the highest wages in blue-collar industry in America, the mining industry in America is the best in the world. The costs of production are extremely low. They are lower than Australia or any other country. We are competitive. But it has been very difficult. Now, having said that, we also have to recognize that the gold industry is a very important industry for the United States. We are a net exporter of gold. It is one of the few things that we do that creates a favorable balance of trade in America. With that as the setting for this amendment, let me say this amendment is attempting to strike from the bill language that is very, very reasonable. The Secretary of Interior is attempting to do by regulation what he can't do by legislation. What right does he have to overrule what the will of the Congress is?”