[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 186 (Thursday, December 11, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           A BRIGHTER FUTURE

  Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, change is on the way, but it didn't get 
here tonight. The American people said they wanted change in the 
Senate, but it is not here yet. I think it was proven tonight by this 
vote. The American people will see who stands with the middle class of 
this country and who doesn't, who cares about working people and who 
doesn't by this vote tonight. Anyone could have picked a number of 
reasons for voting no tonight, but as far as I am concerned, with this 
economy in crisis, we should have voted yes.
  All I wish to say is we are going through tough times and tomorrow 
things are going to be a whole lot tougher for a whole lot of people, 
unless Henry Paulson does the right thing. I wish to say to my 
colleagues, Senator Levin and Senator Stabenow--I know they are headed 
out, which is fine--that I am going to work as hard as I can to 
convince the Treasury Secretary to take action to save these 3 million 
jobs that could be on the line.
  People played Russian roulette with this recession tonight. We don't 
know what is going to happen, but we do know that Hank Paulson can save 
these jobs. If he can save all those jobs in the white-collar industry, 
certainly he can save some jobs in the blue-collar industries. Everyone 
knows I have had problems with Detroit. I think the fact that they 
didn't listen to those of us who felt they ought to produce clean cars 
and fuel-efficient cars, the fact that they didn't listen to us led to, 
in many ways, the problems they face. To lose our manufacturing base, 
without even a helping hand to try and save it tonight, is shocking.
  So, in closing, I wish to say I have a heavy heart right now. I have 
200,000 workers in my State, second only to Detroit, who depend on a 
thriving auto industry. That is 200,000 families, frightened tonight, 
but I have a message for them: HELP is on the way. Change is on the 
way. Change is coming to this Chamber. We are going to have people who 
are here for the right reason--what I consider the right reason--which 
is fighting for the middle class, fighting to make sure we have a clean 
environment, a strong economy, educated kids, peace in the world, all 
those things. That is what the election was about. This is a lameduck 
Senate, and they acted like a lameduck Senate. It is too bad. But we 
did get a majority vote, so the message to Mr. Paulson is: Listen to 
that. More than 51 people here voted to give a chance with a bridge 
loan, so I hope, Mr. Paulson, you are watching this, and I hope you 
will do it. Then, when we have our new President and our new Senate and 
our new House, we can get back to work.
  I see Senator Durbin is on the floor and is about to speak. I wish to 
thank him, Senator Dodd, and Senator Reid, all those who worked so hard 
and those on the other side who tried--who actually tried--to do 
something. So I yield the floor, with a heavy heart, but I know that 
the future is going to be much brighter, much better.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois is recognized.

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