Political Quotes

“I know the hour is late. I will be as quick as possible on this very important issue. Four months ago the Senate Finance Committee reported S. 667, the Personal Responsibility and Individual Development for Everyone Act, known as the PRIDE Act. This would reauthorize temporary assistance for needy families, which was due for reauthorization in 2002. It is a bipartisan bill and received virtually unanimous support in the committee, a compromise that demonstrates how things can work. The PRIDE Act contains increased funding to help parents cover the costs of childcare, among other things, so that they can join the workforce. It contains critical transitional medical assistance so that parents who work do not immediately lose their health care benefits in the transition to work. In short, it will help tens of thousands of Americans who are simply trying to do the right thing by their families and their communities. That is why our Governors and State legislatures, both Democrats and Republicans, have asked that we reauthorize the program and pass the PRIDE Act at the earliest possible date. Unfortunately, instead of helping working families and listening to our Governors and legislatures by immediately taking up this important bipartisan legislation, Republicans have spent months fighting among themselves, delaying its consideration.…”