Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. This is really a very unusual morning. We are here because of the refusal of the Republicans to come to the table for a conference. What is a conference? A conference is a public open meeting where differences between the House budget bill and the Senate budget bill can be reconciled. It is done with transparency and in full public view. Each side proud of our priorities, we have the American people be the judge of what is their statement of values. Afraid of that public scrutiny, the Republicans have refused to appoint conferees for a conference--conferees for a conference. We call upon the Speaker to appoint conferees so that we can have that public airing, that transparent view, of something very important. The Republican leadership has said in the House and the Senate they want the regular order. What is the regular order? {time} 1120 The regular order is the House passes a bill; the Senate passes a bill; you go to conference. Now, afraid that their views may be rejected by the American people, they don't want to go to conference. That's why we are here this morning for sequestration. What is sequestration? Sequestration is a mindless, across-the-board cutting of what we are now recognizing--and the Republicans are recognizing--as something that should not be cut. It affects the efficiency and the safety of our airports. That's very important. Yet, as our distinguished Democratic whip, Mr.…”