Jim Nussle Quotations

We're going to work with the committees and see what's doable.

On that day, he surprised all of us by announcing he was going to start that journey to become president of the United States.

I am concerned. I am concerned about that.

But this isn't going to be a contest between 'urban versus rural' or 'everybody against Des Moines'. We got to recognize all of the values that we share and the vision that we share.

Based on this report, the choice is either for pensioners to lose over $100-billion in promised retirement benefits or for taxpayers to get slapped with a $100-billion bill for failed private pension plans. Neither is acceptable.

Today, it was quality over quantity. But that's to be expected when you have a blizzard on the second day of spring.

There is an amount of the debt that can be paid down during this period of time, ... The rest will not have matured.

is a very fair and appropriate question to ask at the appropriate time, and I don't believe this is the appropriate time. ... There are families that are still finding one another.

We aren't taking anyone or any part of the state for granted. Bob already has a following in northwest Iowa and I want to personally meet and talk with the citizens and hear their concerns first hand.

Yes, this is political suicide, I suppose, but we have to start asking the question for the next opportunity when we have to fund disaster assistance.

You are not allowed in this committee to say 'no' without an alternative, ... 'No' is not an answer. We're going to come up with alternatives and solutions.

This unchecked spending is growing faster than our economy, faster than inflation, and far beyond our means to sustain it.

Don't worry about the money in this initial phase ... then there will be fiscal issues that are appropriate to discuss, but not at this initial stage when we are still rescuing and relocating people.

This is huge when it comes to our ability to come together with an almost three-month jump we'll have on Democrats.

This isn't a county sale barn where we're bidding on a prize heifer. There is more we need to do. We need reform,

Iowa needs to be not only a renewable (energy) leader from a production standpoint but also a leader from a consumption standpoint.

Hope, yes, but it's probably not realistic, ... It would be very difficult, based on the way things have transpired this year so far.

I appreciate his passion for the state and I appreciate his vision.

I am pleased with the direction we are moving in.

I don't want to go back. Would I want to do that at the cost of our military ... and not defend the country? Would I not want to fund homeland security and protect the country?

how much will we, and what areas will we reduce taxes.

Certainly accountability of government is what people are clamoring for; they want to know that when lawmakers make a promise or a proposal, you can actually accomplish it.

Near-term deficits are temporary and manageable if - and only if - we keep spending in check, the tax burden low and the economy growing.

The reform of government needs to continue.

There's a fine line in being too specific so you can't be too flexible, and being too vague in being specific and people not thinking it's meaningful.

There will be fiscal issues that are appropriate to discuss.

There is no question we are having a difficult time rounding up the votes.

The budget is tight, and that is exactly where we want it to be and where we need it to be.

I don't think anyone should pick a candidate for any office based solely on gender. That would be, I believe, a mistake.