Political Quotes

“I thank my friend for yielding me the time. Madam Speaker, my Republican friends bring to the floor today a transparent political ploy that's an insult to our men and women in uniform and their families. It says that the Republican majority is willing to put up the funding to arm and equip our troops fighting overseas for the remainder of the year, but they won't find a way to fund the rest of the Federal programs that assist their spouses, children, and parents who are making significant sacrifices keeping the home front together while their loved ones give all that they have to keep all of us safe and free. No, they're happy to submit them, their families, to the whims of a budget debate that I'm concerned is rapidly moving toward a shutdown that many of their supporters are clamoring for and seem pleased to have happen. This is no peace of mind for a soldier fighting in the field to defend our freedoms and interests if his or her spouse or parents are being furloughed at home or their children are being denied essential services. Is this bill going anywhere in the Senate? I don't think so and certainly hope not. This kind of insensitivity should never be codified. Madam Speaker, the VA's backlog is extensive and growing. Let's stop wasting time and raising anxieties. Let's get back to the negotiating table so we can avoid a government shutdown and the damage it will do to military families, working men and women, and our Nation's economy.…”