Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I realize that many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle just voted against the short funding resolution because it doesn't include critical funding for Flint. Unfortunately, I believe this is a misguided strategy. Now, I voted against it but on the basis of something that can be corrected, having to do with the funding of the increased number of troops that we will have in Afghanistan and Iraq. But I must be clear that the $300 million Flint package that passed this body several weeks ago will become law by the end of the year. It is a mistake to take the country to the brink of a shutdown over an issue when we already have a bipartisan agreement on the solution. When the national press opened the eyes of America to the lead water contamination crisis affecting Flint, MI--a city of roughly 100,000 people--I told my staff it was time to get to work, to see what went wrong and what could be done. We are so close to making this a reality. I urge my colleagues to not create a standoff on the CR when we are taking care of the people of Flint and communities around the country, which is very important. We did this in our WRDA bill. I know that Leader McConnell spoke with Speaker Ryan and Minority Leader Pelosi this morning and assured them that he is dead serious about ensuring the Flint package becomes law once we return from the break.…”