Political Quotes

“This country urgently, desperately needs legislative action to ensure the soundness of the Medicare funds, to ensure the soundness of a variety of other trust funds. I do not think anyone objects to that. I should say more precisely I do not know that anyone disputes that fact, that we need strong and urgent action to put those on track. Second, I do not think anyone doubts that we have an enormous problem with the deficit. We are not just the world's biggest debtor, but we see a problem that seems very difficult for Congress to solve. Third, I think it is quite clear to everyone involved that we need a bipartisan budget. The simple fact is this Congress acted in what I thought was a responsible way, in I think a moderate way, in trying to address the budget problems. We passed a budget last year. We passed a reconciliation act that had enormous progress for the country in moving these funds into solvency, and it was vetoed by the President. We have been unable to reach an agreement with the President. Whichever side you take in that controversy, the reality is nothing got done in terms of long-term reconciliation. It is my belief that nothing is going to get done unless we have a bipartisan approach.”