Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise to address the Republican plan to have a vote to proceed to a healthcare bill tomorrow. The only challenge is that we have no idea what bill we are being asked to proceed to. This is hardly the way a democratic republic operates in which the leader of the majority says: We want to come to the floor with no committee deliberation, no consultation with healthcare experts, no dialogue with the public, no amendments in committee of any kind, and vote on a mystery bill. The biggest mystery to me is how it is possible that the majority of Republicans are taking seriously a plan to rip healthcare from 20 million-plus Americans in order to give fabulous giveaways to the richest among us. The bill they entertained previously would have given $33 billion to the richest 400 Americans--$33 billion. I have mentioned this number before. Some journalists have quoted it as $33 million, and some citizens have said that I meant $33,000. No. It is $33 billion to the richest 400 Americans--enough funds to pay for Medicaid for 700,000 people. What individual would say it is moral to rip healthcare away from 20 million people in order to give tax breaks to the very richest among us? In some misguided, mysterious way, something has gotten ahold of the hearts and minds of my colleagues and made them think this was some kind of good idea to do so much damage to so many. In fact, we have been having this conversation since January.…”