Political Quotes

“3 times Senators have voted, either with 74 or 75 votes, in favor of this legislation--a majority of Democratic Senators and a majority of Republican Senators. On Monday we were ready for amendments, but the small group of Senators who oppose it objected. On Tuesday we asked to have time given back so we could begin amendments. There was an objection. On Wednesday the Senator from Arkansas asked for a 10-year moratorium on Internet taxes, and there was an objection. And we are ready today, as we will see. Sometimes we Republicans feel as though Democrats keep us from offering amendments. Whether that is ever true, this is different. In this case, Democrats and Republicans--a small group--are blocking the majority of us, Democrats and Republicans, who want to go forward with the bill and who have been ready to consider amendments since Monday. We respect the points of view of those 24 or 25 Senators who disagree with us, but with 3 votes of 74, 75 votes, can we not have our amendments, bring this to a conclusion, send it to the House of Representatives, and let it go through the process it needs to go through? So this is different. This is both sides--a small group--blocking amendments the large majority on each side wants to move forward with. Thank you, Mr. President. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maine.”