Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. And, Mr. Chairman, I had not originally thought I would come here to speak. I must admit, I have been watching the debate in my office and have some amount of envy for my colleagues who bring such passion and certainty of their vote as they come to the floor. As I look at this legislation and listen to my colleagues, I must admit I consider it to be a very successful negotiation because I am not sure I have heard anybody who really likes the bill. Perhaps that's a hallmark of a successful negotiation. As I look at the legislation, it is the classic challenge of, Is the glass half full or is it half empty? I, for one, have decided it to be half full. Mr. Chairman, clearly there are items in this legislation that I find not just empty but, frankly, atrocious. Yes, there is tax pork in this legislation. There is an unpaid-for extension of unemployment benefits. Mr. Chairman, at some point, I would hope the majority--soon to be minority in this institution--would realize that we have got to concentrate on the paychecks. Americans want paychecks, not unemployment checks. And if we're going to have them, they need to be paid for. And worst of all, what's happening to Social Security, with the payroll tax without putting any fundamental reform on the table. And what I would say to my friends on the other side of the aisle, It is you who brought that to the table. Mr. Chairman, I made a pledge to my constituents.…”