Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I want to thank Senator Cochran for his courtesy in getting the time for me. Coal Miner Health Care Benefits and WRDA Mr. President, some people may wonder why on a Friday we are still here and we are still arguing and we are still debating. There are several issues that are troubling to many people in the Senate and in the country, and a couple of them have a focus on them today. How this all ends remains to be seen, but I feel it is important for the American people to understand that there are some people here who are willing to take the time to explain why we can't just go home right now. We are no different from any other American. We don't want to have to work on the weekend. We don't want to have to be here when we don't have to be, giving speeches that we don't have to give. I also want to give a shout-out to my friends who are calling attention to the plight of widows of miners--miners who went into the coal mines knowing full well they risked their lives every day. They knew that if something happened to them, their widows would be taken care of. If we can't take care of widows and children who are left behind because a coal miner risked his or her life, who are we fighting for and what are we doing here? Senator Manchin, Senator Heitkamp, Senator Casey, Senator Schumer, Senator Warner--several of my colleagues--have been very clear. They have been taking to this floor warning the majority, the Republicans, that we want to take care of these widows.…”