Too often they operate in secret.

Let us be clear: there was absolutely no excuse for this shutdown.

I have done exactly what I've said I'd do.

This country is in better shape than it was 2 1/2 years ago because we have worked hard to do what we said we would do.

I take full responsibility, proudly, for what we did.

Had we done it in his time, we would not have so much work to do in this time.

The facts speak for themselves.

I want to know what these programs are, exactly.

We will find you. We will catch you. We will make you pay.

Trust and accountability are the foundation of these new partnerships.

All of us have made our mistakes, and none of us can change our yesterdays.

Congressional Accountability Act of 1995

We are beginning the new year with a reform that requires Congress to live under the laws it imposes on the American people.

I want to commend the Congress for passing the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 today.

It is about time that Congress lived by the same laws it places on the private sector.

It is not a blank check.

We all know what the problem is here.

I know that the charges are bogus and that they'll ultimately be disproved or they'll die of their own weight.