Political Quotes

“thanks for letting me speak here. I am not even on the list. I just wanted to say a few comments about my friend and colleague Rob Portman. I am not actually one to come and give a lot of speeches on the floor so this is a big deal. A lot of people stood up today to talk about Rob's accomplishments, of which they are numerous, but I want to talk about the Rob who is my friend. Rob and I worked together for 6 months straight on the infrastructure package last year, which, as Rob mentioned in his comments, we built from the center out, which I am inordinately proud of. It is the model for how the legislative process should work in this country. I couldn't be more proud of him. I think, over the course of those 6 months, though, I shared more meals and more glasses of wine with Rob than with anyone in my personal life--ever. So, for that, I say to his wife and his children, I am sorry because Rob and I spent more time together, poring over spreadsheets in the basement of this U.S. Capitol, than I have ever spent with anyone, and I couldn't be more grateful for every one of those minutes. Rob, in addition to being incredibly smart, incredibly focused, and incredibly committed to outcomes is also a delightful human being, and I consider him one of my closest friends in the world. Rob, I am going to miss you so much, and I can't wait to go on ride bikes together.…”