Political Quotes

“I rise today to discuss a feature of the economic recovery legislation that will both create jobs in the short term and help us confront the long-term economic challenges that are facing us. Clearly, creating jobs is a paramount goal of this legislation. In this time of deepening recession, one in ten Rhode Islanders is looking for a job. At 10 percent, our unemployment rate is second in New England and the second highest across this entire Nation. As I have traveled around my State, I have heard from countless Rhode Islanders struggling to hold on to their retirement savings, their homes, and their livelihoods. Against this dark background, jobs mean security. Steady employment helps families pay the bills and plan for the future. Jobs mean confidence in an unsettled time. In this weakening economy, job creation should be our highest economic priority. But at the end of the day, the best jobs this legislation can create are jobs that produce lasting infrastructure, assets that will help our economy function smoothly for years to come, such as highways, bridges, weatherized homes and schools, and water treatment plants.”