Political Quotes

“I rise to discuss the tax proposal before us. We are in a critical moment. Our economy is slowly climbing from the depths of a deep recession but without additional support it could easily backslide. We cannot afford to let that happen. There are still too many Americans--15 million--who desperately want the opportunity to work but cannot find a job in this difficult environment. My top priority is creating jobs and sustaining demand to continue job growth in this country. I have serious concerns about several of the provisions of this bill that will not help us accomplish that goal of creating and sustaining jobs, but I will support this package because right now, back in my home State of Rhode Island, there are approximately 65,000 men and women from all walks of life who are unemployed and need this bill. Many of them are individuals in the middle of their careers who have worked since they were 18 or 21 continuously, productively, and now they find themselves for the first time in their lives without any job. If we do not act, they will be without the means to support their families and provide for their children. This bill preserves emergency unemployment insurance to help these individuals make ends meet and help them to hold their families together. It will help ensure they can buy the groceries, pay the utility bills, and literally keep a roof over their heads in many cases.”