Political Quotes

“I rise today to speak about an issue which should be under the category of ``unfinished business,'' and is a priority for the American people, and that is unemployment insurance. In this case it is emergency unemployment compensation and the trauma so many people have lived through--not just over weeks--over the last few months, and which, of course, was preceded by a very difficult economy. The bill that is before the Senate is bipartisan, and that is good news and the way it should be. It is a bipartisan bill to provide what can only be described as an essential lifeline for individuals who have been out of work. Millions of people have been out of work in the so- called long-term unemployment category. This lifeline is often directly connected to the life and daily struggles of middle-class families who rely upon this program to stay afloat as they seek work. Sometimes I think there is a misconception--or some may want to make this argument in a deliberate way--that somehow emergency unemployment compensation is for people who are out of work but not looking for work. In fact, these are folks who are looking for work day after day and week after week. I would have preferred a longer-term agreement rather than just the 5 months that are proposed in the agreement. It is very important that we have finally reached a point where we can pass a measure that will provide protection and support for folks as they look for work.…”