Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I represent the Eighth Congressional District in New York. It was one of the districts that was hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy that struck on October 29. The people of the Eighth Congressional District--neighborhoods like Canarsie and Coney Island, Sea Gate, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Mill Basin, folks who are in coastal communities along the Atlantic Ocean or who live near the Jamaica Bay--lost their homes, experienced significant damage, were displaced, lost property that can never be recovered. They were victimized on October 29, and then this Congress attempted to come together to provide swift and immediate relief--as is our responsibility to do when Americans have been hit with disaster. A $60 billion aid package was passed in the Senate. Although there was a promise for a vote in 2012, it didn't happen. At the 11th hour, it was yanked because there were some who were arguing--again, in the name of alleged fiscal responsibility--that we should be considering offsets. Americans in need, desperate, but we should be considering offsets, unprecedented in the history of America's response to a tragedy. Then, thankfully, in January, we came together. Common sense prevailed and we were able to pass that robust $60 billion package.…”