Political Quotes

“I would like to speak to this legislation. First of all, I compliment the ranking member on the Judiciary Committee for the points he made, with which I am in agreement. Recall, this bill federalizes two new hate crimes, adding gender and sexual orientation and disability to existing law. It is a far-reaching proposal. I am sorry, I cannot accept the excuse that has just been proffered by the assistant majority leader with respect to why cloture was filed on this bill some 14 minutes after the bill was brought to the Senate floor. This is unprecedented. With all due respect, I characterize it as a gag rule on Senators, unprecedented in the way the Senate ordinarily, traditionally acts. As a matter of comity to Members, it is traditional that Members are allowed to debate and offer amendments to legislation. Only rarely is cloture filed--ordinarily, after there has been an attempt to filibuster a bill. The majority then rightly has the opportunity to bring that debate to a close if enough Members are in agreement to do so. It is very rare cloture motions would be filed immediately after bringing the bill to the floor. This does not give Members enough time to debate the bill or offer amendments and have those amendments voted upon.”