Political Quotes

“Mr. President, the Senate just conducted a very important vote. We have now demonstrated that the House Republicans' cut, cap, and balance bill is over, done, and dead. This was a necessary step, and this step now allows the process to move forward. Let me take a moment to discuss where we go from here. Earlier this week, the Republican leader and I were working together on a path to avert insolvency. It was a fallback plan. It was the second choice for everyone, including me, and the Republican leader I am sure. But earlier this week, it looked as though we needed to go to that fallback plan as soon as possible. Thus, earlier this week, it looked as though the Senate would have to originate that legislation, perhaps as soon as today, to avoid default. During the course of the week, however, circumstances have changed. The Speaker and the President have been working diligently together to reach an agreement on a major deficit-reduction measure. As I said earlier this morning, I wish them both very well. That is very important to our country. The product on which they are working would address, I understand, both taxes and spending. Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives must originate all revenue measures. Therefore, the path to avert default now runs first through the House of Representatives--that is what the Constitution demands--and we in the Senate must wait for them. Therefore, the Senate does not need to originate legislation today.…”