Political Quotes

“I rise today to speak in support of the fiscal year 2017 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. I wish to begin by thanking my friend and colleague, Senator Alexander. We have served together as chairman or ranking member of this subcommittee for the past 5 years. I know of no one in this body who is more intelligent or has a greater sense of fairness. I just want Senator Alexander to know what a great treat it has been to work with him for 5 years. I think we have a bill that will stand the test of time. Each of us has had different views on different parts of the bill, but that is part of what makes this a great country. I say to Senator Alexander, I just want to thank you for being who you are and thank you for being the kind of U.S. Senator you are. Thank you very much. As the chairman mentioned, this bill has reached the floor for the first time since 2009. It is also being considered as an appropriations bill on the floor with the quickest time since the budgeting process began in 1974. I just want to say thank you to our leadership on both sides for the desire to get us back to regular order and particularly on appropriations bills. I wish to thank all of my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for supporting this bill during last week's markup. As the chairman said, the vote was 30 to nothing, and that is a pretty good vote, so I thank my colleagues very much. I believe this is a good bill. It is a fair bill.…”