Political Quotes

“I want to explain why I will oppose cloture on both the Lott amendment and the substitute amendment the majority leader offered. As a consequence, I will be voting against cloture. I will oppose cloture on the Lott amendment for two reasons. First, I have always said our national energy security demands a full, open, and honest debate. We have been precluded from having a full debate on this issue. The time may come when cloture needs to be invoked on the legislature on a particular amendment, but not at the outset. Cloture on the Lott amendment would limit that full, open, and honest debate. I don't believe it should be limited. Second, the authorization text of H.R. 4 was filed--the House-passed energy measure. This is not the text that I believe the Senate should enact without change. There are a variety of amendments that I believe the Senate should consider. One is an extension of Price-Anderson. That will be foreclosed as nongermane if cloture is invoked.”