Political Quotes

“No. The answer to that question is no. It would have been possible. We can always suspend the rules and move if it is in the national interest. But we didn't vote--you know this, Senator Alexander--we didn't vote until Wednesday. But let me back up. This weekend Senator Crapo and I and Banking Committee Members were making progress on Friday and Saturday. Then Saturday night, Senator McConnell decided that he would take everything back and write a partisan bill. So don't tell us that this has been a bipartisan effort. Again, Senator Rubio and Senator Cardin had some bipartisan efforts. We attempted that, but the fact is, we need to learn from 10 years ago. The same people came to us and said: We need this bailout. They promised that it would help people stay in their homes. They promised it would be money in the pockets of workers. The banks have done well, the executives have done well, but since then, wages have basically remained flat. The American people don't want another corporate bailout. They don't want a bailout for Wall Street. They don't want a bailout for the airlines. They want money--if we are going to do a relief package, the money needs to go in the pockets of workers. We know that hundreds of people, thousands of people in each of our States are faced every day with this situation: Do I go to work? I am sick today.…”