Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman. You talked about how we define ``success.'' I know you and I have spoken, as have many Members, about how we can get away with what we call ``success'' here. So what happens--and what has happened in this context, too--is that a number of things will be proposed, and they won't go anywhere. Then what will happen is a bunch of finger-pointing will come after: well, I proposed this, and I voted for it and I voted against it. Imagine if you were a CEO of a company that made a product and that you said, I created a great product, and I think you'll really like it. It sounds great to the CEO, and the CEO says, Oh, that sounds terrific. How many did you sell? I didn't sell any, but they really should buy it. That's what Congress is doing. That's kind of how we define ``success'' around here: well, I stuck them with a good bill even though no one's going to vote for it. Of course, in business or in your family, you'd actually have to listen to what the other side wanted if you wanted to reach a result that was a success. That's what ``success'' would be, and I thank you for pointing that out. I would also say, on No Budget, No Pay, which I also supported, it was the concept that, if Congress doesn't do its job, we shouldn't get a paycheck. We were proud that day when we worked together with our Republican colleagues, and we passed No Budget, No Pay. We forced the Senate, controlled by Democrats, to pass the first budget that they passed in 4 years.…”