Political Quotes

“I thank the gentlelady for yielding and thank her for leading. As I see my colleagues on the floor, let me just try to focus on one or two points. And maybe on this Valentine's evening--I think a lot of our colleagues who were fortunate enough to have their spouses here rushed off, and we're delighted. Let me wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day. And let me wish my husband in Texas, far away, a happy Valentine's Day. But he might not be having such a good Valentine's Day because he is in higher education. And, frankly, this CR is going to put more than a dent. It is going to put a real bite. This is an effort to show you what progress we've made. Private sector employment has increased for 12 straight months. Private employers added more than 1.3 million jobs in 2010. But they have to have an educated workforce. And, as you can see, we're going up. The cup is half full and not half empty. But when you have the numbers that I'm about to relate to you, where you're seeing Pell Grants cut 15 percent--Mr. Speaker, I met with my universities--the University of Houston, Houston Community College, Lone Star, Texas Southern University; and if there was one thing that they emphasized it is the equal opportunity that is provided to all students through a Pell Grant. If we are to go with the CR as it is, we're talking about a reduction in the middle of the school year of $5,550 to $4,705. Do you know what that does to a student?…”