Political Quotes

“Our spending priorities do reflect our values as a country, and during this week, which some of you heard last night, this is National Bible Week. I think it is very important as we debate this bill to remember some of the statements and speeches that were made last night with regard to caring for the least of these. I am pleased we were able to fund critical programs under the Department of Health and Human Services, programs like nurses education and the Ryan White CARE Act and the Minority AIDS Initiative. I look forward to working with our colleagues to try to increase funding for all of our AIDS initiatives in the coming year. I also want to thank the committee for funding critical education programs. What are we saying to the American people when we pass legislation that funds education, like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, TRIO, GEAR UP, Upward Bound, and programs that strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-serving universities. We are saying these are our priorities.”