Political Quotes

“So this is a tough vote to cast, as it was in September, in October. I listened that night as the majority leader asked every single Member to vote from their desk, something we do not do with great frequency. I listened to several of our colleagues who are no longer here, and I suspect that vote they cast in favor of that program had something to do with the outcome of their elections. I am sorry that happened to them, and it may have happened because of that vote. But we are Senators. This is not a place just to come and give speeches. We happen to be here at one of the most critical times in our Nation's history. There are wars raging around the globe, and people are suffering at home. We have an obligation to them, and sometimes the decisions we make are not always the most popular ones in the moment they are given. We have learned that throughout history, too, that the Congresses in the past that have come before us, that have had the courage to stand up and face the realities of their day, have enjoyed the good judgement of history because they had the intestinal fortitude to do so. There is not a single one of us in this Chamber who knows what is the right political vote. We all know we can gain favor overnight by casting a vote against this bill.”