Political Quotes

“today, we finally have an opportunity to do something for the worker. I can remember back in September talking about the airline security bill and talking about the fact that many of my family members are employed in the airline industry, my father having carried bags for United Airlines for some 38 years. And every time I go through that airport, I see these men who have been carrying bags for years making $2 an hour, and unable to get tips to supplement their families and help their families. But the discussion kept going on: we are going to help the workers, we are going to help the workers, we are going to help the workers. Well, finally, we are doing that. And unlike some who say that we as Democrats see compassion as an unemployment check, I do not see compassion as an unemployment check. I see compassion that we ought to exhibit all during this year and years to come as Members of the House: compassion for affordable housing for people who cannot afford housing, compassion for people who need health care, who cannot afford a health care credit. Because if I do not have any money, I cannot pay for health care and then get a credit. I see compassion as giving opportunities for people to have a job at a living wage and have a job where they can work and get a health care benefit that they do not then have to pay for. I understand compassion. I see compassion.”