Political Quotes

“It will, in fact, plunge this constitutional amendment into the courts to interpret as to whether or not the Vice President can break a tie. It should not be left open. It should be resolved in this amendment as to whether or not the Vice President's vote counts to break a 50-50 tie. I think it is irresponsible to write a constitutional amendment knowing that that question is left open. By the way, that is not some theoretical question. Last year's deficit reduction bill, as it has been debated here this afternoon, was a 51-50 vote, based on the Vice President's vote. So this is not some theory that we are arguing here in a civics class. This is the reality of the U.S. Senate, and life and death matters can be resolved on whether or not the Vice President's vote counts to break a tie. It was the opinion of the Senator from Utah, as I understand it, stated earlier this afternoon, that the Vice President's vote would not count in this provision. And yet, the chief sponsor of this language that is in front of us, Representative Dan Schaefer of Colorado, says the Vice President's vote would count.”