NAN A. S. HAYWORTH: “I would caution us all, with the severity of the challenge our Nation faces, with the fact that we are a people at war…”

“I would caution us all, with the severity of the challenge our Nation faces, with the fact that we are a people at war who were wantonly and brutally attacked on September 11, to continue to preen and posture and play games in the hopes of providing what in some twisted way must be thought of as a clever soundbite does a disservice to people who are out of work, to people who are hurting, to people who need health insurance, to people who need this unemployment, money that has been set aside where we have tried to work in good faith. People can talk about the lateness of the hour. People can try to use misguided tales of Scrooge. The tragedy is for all the talk of compassion, my friends, if you set aside this last best opportunity to help these people, then you have turned your back on them. And then you have taken on the mantle of those you claim to attack and not to support. You have taken on the mantle of Scrooge. We cannot have that tonight. We cannot have this type of posturing and preening. Let us put the people in front of the politics. You may disagree with us on many matters. We have tried to come halfway and find a plan that can work at the behest of our President. The American people deserve this opportunity.”