Political Quotes

“This is a sad day, but a necessary day, to complete final action on a matter that honestly should have been concluded with a public trial. Mr. Rangel chose to walk out of that hearing and failed to present his case. Instead, we are left with a vote, an important vote, I would suggest, not only for Mr. Rangel, but equally a significant vote for this House as an institution and for how we are seen by our employers, the American people. Watching at home, some are probably looking on with a curiosity of sorts as we dispense with this unpleasant yet constitutionally mandated responsibility to punish our own when necessary. In fairness, today's action may also confirm what many of us already know--that Washington, D.C. truly is disconnected from the real challenges and worries that much of the rest of America is facing every day: the angst of a father whose son is standing guard in some dangerous remote location in Afghanistan, or the uncertainty of that single mom who was just told this week that she had been fired. Not only does she have to worry about whether she can afford Christmas for her children, but whether she can pay the car note or the rent without a job. All across America, these are the real life crises that our constituents are facing.”