Political Quotes

“I think it is time to refocus this debate. This debate is not about whether we are going to give the compassionate aid which is needed in Los Angeles; it is going to happen. It is going to happen regardless of what happens on this amendment. The aid is going to flow. This amendment is about whether Congress is going to kick the habit of giving out aid around America for disasters and then passing the bill on to our children and our grandchildren. The debate on this amendment is about whether we are willing to stand up and finally pay the bill. For the last 5 years Congress has passed over $20 billion in disaster assistance, most of that paid for, but simply added to the debt. There is a lot of talk today about cutting spending, you hear it all across America, from Members of Congress, that we need to cut spending--until it comes time to do it. Then we can never find it. We can never muster up the energy or the courage to say, ``I will take my share of the cuts.'' Let me remind my colleagues, Christmas is past, it is now time to pay the bills.”