Political Quotes

“the budget conference didn't meet. We didn't produce a budget in conference. Our conferees did not vote. The two leaders of the conference, Senator Murray and Congressman Ryan, prepared the legislation now before us which has a number of problems, in my opinion. To skip the conference and create this legislation instead is not the right way to have conducted this process. But the question is, Should we advance with this legislation or does it need to be improved? I believe it can be improved, I believe it should be improved, and I believe legislation of this size and scope should be carefully considered. Since this bill actually amends the Budget Control Act of the United States, which has successfully contained the growth and spending for a couple of years the Budget Control Act ought not to be altered without more care and thought. I suggest the right vote today would be to vote against cloture and say to the leadership and Senator Reid that we want to have amendments on this legislation. If this legislation goes forward, we are about to have a significant reduction in the retirement benefits of disabled military personnel, people who have served 20 years in the U.S. military. The pay is going to be cut as much as $70,000 for a staff sergeant over their lifetime. We need to think about that. This legislation, amazingly and disappointingly, has altered the ability of this Senate to block increases in spending.…”