Political Quotes

“Today's vote may be the first of many to undo the painful and unfair impact of sequestration on our food safety system, housing services, public schools, Head Start programs, our transportation programs, and a host of other vital government services. However, I fear that a piecemeal approach would represent a continuation of the incredibly broken process in Washington, DC. Even though I will vote for today's measure, it will be an embarrassment if this is the only action we take to reduce these cuts. I voted against the Budget Control Act for a reason; sequestration was intended to be painful. Picking and choosing programs to restore, instead of reforming our budget overall and raising revenue, shirks our fundamental responsibility as members of Congress. We must address the big picture: we need to cut programs that are irrelevant or even harmful, such as the nuclear arsenal and agricultural subside. We need new revenues that address the inequities in the tax code. It will require a comprehensive approach but will result in a sustainable budget future. By all means protect the vital operation of the FAA. More importantly, restore the hundreds of vital programs crippled by sequestration by replacing them with strategic cuts and new revenues that will strengthen our economy and county. This should be our number one priority.”