Political Quotes

“Mr. President, reserving the right to object, my friend the Republican leader knows full well that everything in the so-called extenders package was paid for. It was paid for because it was the right thing to do. We, as a Congress--Democrats and Republicans--have always extended unemployment benefits because it is an emergency. President Reagan did it for almost 3 years. President Bush did it for a couple years. It has been going on on a bipartisan basis when times are tough in America. This is only an excuse the Republicans have. We only needed one more Republican to get this done. And I so appreciate the two good Senators from Maine for recognizing that these people who are unemployed deserve this. Mark Zandi, John McCain's chief economic adviser, said that for every $1 spent on someone who is unemployed with unemployment compensation, $1.61 is returned. For people to talk about, there are jobs out there and that all they have to do is go look for them--for every job in America, there are five people looking for that job. It is better than it was. Just a short time ago, it was one job for every six job applicants. So I understand and I think the American people understand what the Republicans are doing, and I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.”