Political Quotes

“The Congressional Budget Office and others, as Senator Thune indicated, have said if the tax increases are imposed and the sequester cuts are done, we could go back into another recession. The last thing we need to get this budget under control and our finances under control is another recession. It would be unthinkable for us to take action that would put us in that kind of context. As Senator McCain knows, there are requirements the defense contractors--any government contractor--has when they know they are not going to be able, under the law, to keep the number of people employed. They have to send them a notice they are going to be laid off in advance so they have an opportunity to find other work. They are preparing to send out those notices now, and that has a depressing effect on the economy as well, I think. It is a very serious matter for the economy. But most important to me is, when we start playing games with production and procurement of weapon systems and things, it costs the government more money. Wouldn't the Senator agree? If a contractor is producing 100 widgets and then they go to 50 widgets, then back to 100, doesn't the government often have to pay penalties and doesn't it drive up cost? Mr. McCAIN. Wouldn't that also be true if a defense contractor today literally has no ability to make plans for what their company or corporation would be expected to do on January 1 of 2013?”