Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I ask that we continue the agreement that this not count on Keystone time. I need to make the point that Mr. Baran, who is the subject of Mr. Vitter's complaint, has already been confirmed. What we are doing is putting him in a different seat on the same commission that has a different expiration date. He has already had a hearing, and Senator Vitter asked 56 questions. I think it is sad--the Republicans have won the election. Yes, they did. And they said: Oh, we are going to get busy and we are going to work. All I want to do is have a meeting so we can do our work off the floor on people who have had extensive hearings. Now they say: Oh, no, we can't possibly do that. And then my friend talks about the nominee's lack of experience when, in fact, he was already confirmed. When Republican Commissioner Spinickey was nominated, she had never even visited a powerplant. Nobody ever said anything about that, and we all let it go. Sadness is in my heart. Really. This is our work. We are here to work. I thought that is what the Republicans said they wanted to do-- they wanted to work. Oh, no. They come here and object to a meeting off the floor of the Senate so that we can move forward. I wish to make a point: The TVA, Tennessee Valley Authority, is a very important authority. They deliver electricity, and they do it in a good way, they do it in a cheap way, and they do it in an environmentally sound way. That is their job. They need commissioners.…”