Political Quotes

“First of all, let me again commend my colleague from Connecticut for a very helpful proposal. I do not know if we are going to adopt this today. I do not know how the votes would come out on all of this, but I think the idea of making elections more accessible and making available the opportunity for people to participate more is a good idea. As the Senator pointed out, Congressman Hoyer in the House- passed version of this bill has a provision that actually encourages the participation of college students in the electoral process, volunteers. Our colleague from Maryland, Senator Sarbanes, has a similar proposal he intends to offer at some point before final passage of this bill, as well as Senator Hollings and Senator Boxer. I can think of several others who have proposed the idea. Senator Byrd has had a strong interest in the idea of a holiday or a day other than the first Tuesday after the first Monday as a way to increase citizen participation in elections. What the Senator from Connecticut has offered is, of course, a way in the interim period for people who will be able to take time away from their jobs to deal obviously with Federal elections and to be volunteers. So I am very attracted to his proposal.”