Political Quotes

“I rise in opposition to the 2006 budget conference report. I believe that the federal budget is a reflection of values and priorities, and that the spending choices made in the 2006 budget bring into focus where this administration and House of Representatives leadership's priorities lie. Frankly, this budget is a travesty, and it's going to cost the American people dearly, and seriously imperil our nation's economic and national security. The budget makes tax cuts for the most affluent members of our society a top priority. By contrast, it shortchanges investments in our future and fails to honor past commitments to our veterans, seniors, and those in need. Mr. Speaker, this budget is surely not what the American people bargained for. Given what we know about our America's financial situation--a national debt approaching $8 trillion, interest payments of $280 billion, weakening economy, growing health care needs, a weak dollar, and weakening economy--why would the Republican leadership continue to cut taxes for the wealthy? The House voted two weeks ago to eliminate the estate tax. The conference report will take $40 billion from programs for the poor, much of it in from Medicaid, yet it protects $70 billion in new tax cuts for the wealthy. After the five year budget window, these tax cuts will balloon, costing $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years.…”