Political Quotes

“I wish to speak to the bill before us on the Economic Development Administration. I rise specifically to talk about the issue that is on the minds of all Americans; that is, the topic of jobs. Unemployment is far too high. My home State unemployment is very high, and that is before we count all the folks who are underemployed--those who have found some type of part-time work, but it is not enough to support their families. We all know how worried Americans are about this. It goes to the heart of their financial foundations, the success of their families, and it should be our top focus. The good news is that the bill before us creates jobs and stimulates the economy in our towns and regions that need help the most. Economic Development Administration assistance is targeted to both rural and urban areas experiencing high unemployment, low income, a natural disaster or other severe economic distress. It does this at a low cost and gets the most bang for our buck. The bill encourages private sector investment. Indeed, for every $1 the government spends on these projects, we leverage $7 in private investment. That is terrific leverage for our national investment. With national unemployment still above 9 percent and with extreme storms causing destruction around the Nation, our support in these regions matters now more than ever.…”