Political Quotes

“I want to announce my intent to vote against the amendment offered by Senator Simpson to the pending bill, S. 4, the National Competitiveness Act. Included in the Senator from Wyoming's amendment are a number of provisions I support. But even if this amendment passed all it would do is kill the bill now before the Senate. The National Competitiveness Act is legislation I have cosponsored since it was introduced on the first day of this Congress, January 21, 1993. This bill is one of the top five priorities for Senate Democrats and I am the only Republican cosponsor. My support for this measure has not been overlooked by my colleagues on this side of the aisle. I worked closely with the distinguished chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Senator Hollings, to improve this bill as it moved through the committee. Senator Hollings indicated a willingness to work with all the members of the Commerce Committee both Democrats and Republicans on this bill. In fact, there were no Republicans on the Senate Commerce Committee who opposed the bill when it passed the committee. When I was sent to the Senate by the voters of Montana they knew my party affiliation but expected me to do what was in our State's and Nation's best interest. With this vote, that is what I am doing. I think it is vital for our Nation to be the world's leader in advanced technologies such as information, computers, electronics, and new materials.”