Political Quotes

“I rise today in strong opposition to the Nussle-Penny-Kasich amendment. Why are the majority of proposed offsets targeted at big-city America? Mass transit operating funds, transit capital grants, community development block grants, airport grants, vouchers for new public housing, and aid to assist communities with defense cutbacks and base closures. These are important programs. They provide job training. They provide housing. The transportation funds move people, goods and services, and employ thousands. The legislation we are debating today will help the city of Los Angeles cope the most costly tragedy America has ever experienced. This amendment would cripple Los Angeles' recovery even further. And it would send shock waves to cities across the country. Let's look at one example: Mass transit funding. Los Angeles has never been a mass transit city. The terms traffic jam and Los Angeles are synonyms. L.A.'s commuting times are legendary. Since the earthquake, people who would have been immobilized by damage to roads and highways, are able to move with the use of public transit. Ridership on L.A.'s Metrolink has grown to 30,000 additional riders daily.”