Political Quotes

“let me say this, if I can, while we are waiting to do the wrap-up here. We finished up on the series of votes sometime around 4 o'clock or 3:30 this afternoon. It is now 6:30. Other than some statements made by Members regarding various amendments, the pending amendment is the one offered by my colleague from Alabama dealing with the consumer protection part of the bill. I am anxious for us to debate that. I regret we didn't have any debate this afternoon. I made the point that Members have amendments--and we have all been around--most people--long enough to know that with some 90 amendments, it is not going to mean every amendment people have will be offered. But to the extent that time is used effectively, we can maximize the number of amendments that can be offered. Whether you agree with our colleagues or not, they ought to be given the opportunity to offer an amendment and to debate it and get a vote. Again, that doesn't mean every amendment will be treated equally here, but I have been determined to try to make this work for as many Members as possible. But when 2 or 3 hours go by and not a word is spoken about a pending amendment, the hour will come--and I can predict the debate: You have not given us enough time to debate our amendments. I am keeping score privately about the times that have gone vacant when no one has talked on a pending amendment.”