Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, America faces many challenges at home and abroad. We are watching deterioration in the Middle East. We are watching the problems dealing with climate change and global warming. Many of the problems seem beyond our control. They are hard and complex. Some are political fodder, where the two parties are in a pitched battle and one denies fundamental science. This is what concerns our constituents: Why can't we get along and get something done? Well, there are many issues that are not so hard, not so complex, not so controversial. One of the areas that has historically been a subject of people coming together in this Chamber and getting something done deals with our infrastructure. America, sadly, is falling apart. Our infrastructure used to be the finest in the world, from rail passenger transportation, highways, sewer, and water. Now, it is slowly, steadily failing and has been rated 14th in the latest global rankings from the experts that analyze infrastructure, and it is falling further. Our investment, as a percentage of our gross domestic product, is less than 2 percent--1.7 percent, the lowest it has been in 20 years. It is costing American families now. Mr. Speaker, AAA estimates that the average car owner loses almost $1 a day from damage to their cars from inadequate roads.…”