Tom Harkin Quotes & Sayings

Stem cell research holds enormous promise for easing human suffering, and federal support is critical to its success. — Tom Harkin

Let's face it, in America today we don't have a health care system, we have a sick care system. — Tom Harkin

While President Bush's tax give-aways for the rich are pushing us further into debt, he compensates by increasing the out-of-pocket costs to our veterans. — Tom Harkin

[A]s we celebrate 75 years of the minimum wage, we must also recognize that it is no longer achieving its potential impact in our economy or for America's working families. Every American deserves the chance to build a better life for his or her family - and raising the minimum wage will provide that opportunity. — Tom Harkin

The President must stop gambling with taxpayers' money and get the country back on the path of fiscal sanity. — Tom Harkin

The Gulf War was like teenage sex. We got in too soon and out too soon. — Tom Harkin

Prions are highly indestructible. — Tom Harkin

You [the Gallaudet students] have brought the deaf community together ... You are my heroes. — Tom Harkin

If we are serious about combating the childhood obesity epidemic and improving child nutrition, then everyone must chip in
parents, schools, and yes even Congress. — Tom Harkin

Politics is like driving. To go backward put it in R. To go forward put it in D. — Tom Harkin

America's health care system is in crisis precisely because we systematically neglect wellness and prevention. — Tom Harkin

Obesity now contributes to the death of more than 360,000 Americans a year. The incidence of childhood obesity is now at epidemic levels. Alarm bells are going off all over the place. But our government has done virtually nothing. — Tom Harkin

It is long past time to eliminate bigotry in the workplace and to ensure equal opportunity for all Americans. It is time to make clear that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans are first class citizens. They are full and welcome members of our American family and they deserve the same civil rights protections as all other Americans. It is time for us to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Such discrimination is wrong and should not be tolerated. — Tom Harkin

Whereas Iraq has consistently breached its cease-fire agreement between Iraq and the United States, entered into on March 3, 1991, by failing to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction program, and refusing to permit monitoring and verification by United Nations inspections; Whereas Iraq has developed weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological capabilities, and has made positive progress toward developing nuclear weapons capabilities — Tom Harkin

Today, only two groups in the United States have total immunity from lawsuits: foreign diplomats and HMOs. We believe it's time to end diplomatic immunity for HMOs. Holding them accountable is the only way to guarantee that you get the health care your family deserves. — Tom Harkin

I've always been for immigration reform; in 2007 I just didn't feel it had enough protections. — Tom Harkin

The planes were hijacked, the buildings fell, and thousands of lives were lost nearly a thousand miles from here. But the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were an attack on the heart of America. And standing here in the heartland of America, we say in one voice We will not give in to terrorists; We will not rest until they are found and defeated; We will win this struggle not for glory, nor wealth, nor power, but for justice, for freedom, and for peace; So help us God. — Tom Harkin

I am a Democrat and I love my party and I want them to have good policies and good candidates, so I hope to be supportive in some way, but I don't intend to be any kind of 'godfather' or something like that. — Tom Harkin

I fully support President Bush's decision to strike Al Qaeda's terrorist network. Now more than ever, we must stand united as a nation and support our President and our military. It is important to remember that this carefully targeted response is not an attack on a religion, nor a nation, but an attack on terrorism. In Congress, we will continue to work with the White House to do what's needed to bring justice to those who committed the heinous and evil attacks of September 11. — Tom Harkin

There is no such thing as a pro-nuclear environmentalist. — Tom Harkin