Political Quotes

“The gentlelady just expressed the dynamics of a pending default, and I could not agree more with the horrors of her description. It baffles me, literally baffles me, that in actuality we are sitting idly by, the Republican leadership, watching Rome burn. Let me read for you a note that I got from my district, Mr. Speaker. ``I have no idea if any of you still are in office, but until further,'' this is asking whether my staff is still in office, ``but until further notice we have been furloughed effective at 9 a.m. today. I will send you an email when back in the office, which I hope is soon, especially since the Senate has not yet passed a bill to pay us even if furloughed. So we just all hope this is a short time off.'' Who is this? The Houston VA regional office. Isn't it interesting my friends rise to the floor of the House with such indignation about the VA, the VA centers, and, yes, tragically the devastation of families not receiving their memorial benefits; yet here we are today, another day of the government shutdown, and an email into our district offices indicating that the VA office is closed. Another emergency call came into my office as a fire ravaged a home of 40 or so veterans. In ordinary circumstances, they would have the VA office to help resettle them; but we are rolling up our sleeves in Houston and my message is to those veterans that we are going to work to find you a place to stay. But, Mr.…”