Political Quotes

On the recordMarch 14, 2012
Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I am going to explain my concerns. Let me start by quoting George W. Bush. George W. Bush said, ``Free markets are not a jungle in which only the unscrupulous survive, or a financial free-for-all guided only by greed.'' He continued: Tricking an investor into taking a risk is theft by another name. We are in the process of considering taking a health bill related to the production of capital for small and emerging businesses and considering it on the floor of the Senate without due process by the Senate Banking Committee. We need that process because the House bill is full of problems for investors. It will create a marketplace where investors can be deeply damaged. It is our responsibility in this body to make sure that as we produce a streamlined system for small companies and startup companies to access capital that we don't create, basically, a scheme for pump-and- dump operators seeking to defraud American citizens. That is why we need due consideration in committee. I can't speak to the challenges with all the portions of the House bill, but I can speak to a specific section of the House bill called crowdfunding because I have been working with others, including the occupant of the chair, Senator Bennet from Colorado, and Scott Brown from Massachusetts, to say let's utilize this crowdfunding tool but in an effective manner.…
Said by
Jeff Merkley
Democratic · Oregon

Share & report

More from Jeff Merkley

Jan 10, 2026

It's so important we be honest with the American people about what happened.

npr.org
Sep 27, 2025

Trump is sending troops to Portland with the goal of 'doing a number' on the city.

cbsnews.com
Apr 4, 2025

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to use a visual aid. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

govinfo.gov
Jun 20, 2025

The Trump Administration's 'Polluters over People' agenda is once again threatening our health, this time undermining the chance for all Americans to have a future free of asbestos exposure.

newsweek.com

Other voices in this conversation