Political Quotes

“I know our time expires shortly. Senator Hatch has concluded his remarks, so I wish to speak on two other subjects until Senator Leahy arrives. SSI Extension Mr. President, I rise in support of a bill to be introduced along with Senators Leahy, Gillibrand, Menendez, Franken, and Klobuchar, called the SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act of 2011. This bill, which the Senate is considering passing today by unanimous consent, is truly unique because it accomplishes three incredibly important objectives at the same time. First, it ensures that approximately 5,600 disabled refugees will not lose critical life-sustaining benefits that are their only safety net, protecting them from homelessness, illness, and other effects of extreme poverty. Some of the disabled refugees this bill helps are people who have aided American troops overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan--and risked their lives for America's cause. Others are victims of torture or human trafficking, whose injuries are so severe that they are now unable to sustain themselves without these benefits. The bill continues the Bush administration policy of making sure this vulnerable group does not lose its benefits. But, unlike past bills, the second key fact about this bill is that it is fully paid for. It is paid for by imposing a $30 fee on individuals applying to enter the country through the diversity visa lottery program.…”