House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) discussed Democratic efforts to save jobs on CNBC's Squawkbox this morning. See below for excerpts of the interview and a link to the video.
"I think the Republican leadership in the House misconstrues what the American public believes is appropriate to do in this instance. They don't want to see teachers laid off. They don't want to see class size explode. They don’t want to see police and fire [fighters] laid off. They know they’re important to their communities. So, we think the American public understands and supports this effort, which again I would like to emphasize is paid for."
"We need to make sure that we don't get to a level of debt and deficits, which are dangerous. Having said that, clearly, if you don't make sure your economy is moving, and then inevitably, your deficit and debt will explode as your revenues decrease. So, it's a two-step process here. We've got to make sure the economy is moving or we will never solve the debt and deficit problem."
"Nobody doubts that we near a tough economic time for states, municipalities, cities, as well as the national government. We need to pull ourselves out of this and letting 160,000 or plus or minus teachers be laid off as we begin the school year in September does not seem to be – and I don't think is – a wise move for us to take."
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