Political Quotes

“There are structural problems in this economy that rebate checks will not solve. There are problems with housing, and we are putting together a good housing package that will include not only mortgage revenue bonds but assistance for loan supervisors, loan counselors, who will help people restructure, and it will encourage Fannie and Freddie to get money so mortgages can be refinanced. There are the conforming loan limits, which should pass in this package. That will help our housing area. We also will put together a package that deals with infrastructure--a time-honored way of getting the economy moving. Hopefully, there will be some local assistance to help States with their increased Medicaid burden and energy assistance--not just LIHEAP but also the kinds of things the Senator from Washington State, Ms. Cantwell, has pioneered: tax breaks for green energy to create jobs and keep jobs here. We will put together a package that will do all of that. We expect there will be resistance from the other side. The only thing that will probably stop that is if the economy hurdles south even further. The second thing I want to say is this: Some asked me outside: Well, did you do this for politics? Absolutely not. We tried to craft--and I know it because I am on the Finance Committee and worked closely with Senator Baucus--we tried to craft the package that would give the economy bang for the buck.”