Political Quotes

“Once again I thank the chair and the ranking member of the banking committee, Tim Johnson and Mike Crapo, for their great work. I say to my colleagues, this is a very good example of much cooperation--bipartisan cooperation, Democrat and Republican--a 22-to-0 unanimous vote out of the committee. It is also cooperation between private industry and the government. Industry, insurance, and others knew they had to shoulder a greater share of the load as we move on after 9/11 but that only government could be the backstop at the end of the day. Again, this is an economic development issue above anything else. It is not out of whose pocket what money comes. If the greatest problem America faces is good-paying jobs--well, if we were not to renew terrorism insurance, we would lose many good-paying jobs. This amendment will allow those jobs to continue and grow. People will not build major edifices, major complexes--whether they be skyscrapers in Chicago or New York, whether they be football stadiums in Idaho or South Carolina or major shopping centers in South Dakota--unless they know there is a backstop, because insurers will not insure if they think terrorism could just totally wipe them out. And that means we wouldn't get financing for these projects. It is an outstanding piece of legislation. My hope, in conclusion, is that the House would pass our bill.…”