Political Quotes

“I wish to thank Senator Akaka for coming to the floor and speaking on behalf of his amendment. He is one of the most hard-working, constructive members of our committee, the committee from which the underlying bill has come. He is one of the finest people I have ever met. I have the greatest admiration and affection for him. So unlike Senator Collins, it is with some reluctance that I must say I oppose this amendment. I will speak very briefly since Senator Collins has spoken well on it. I think the current system goes beyond taking care of those who need workers' compensation, and it has come to a point where it is unfair not just to those who are paying for the system but to others who are working in the Postal Service today. I thank Senator Collins. She has worked very hard and very thoughtfully. The proposal she made turned out to be so balanced and constructive that folks in the Obama administration who had been working on a similar proposal for all Federal employees asked that we extend the workers' compensation reforms in the Postal Service bill to all Federal employees. Dare I call this a Collins-Obama proposal? I don't know. I just raised that prospect. In any case, I support the underlying bill in this regard and very respectfully and affectionately oppose the Akaka amendment. I yield the floor, and I thank the Chair. ____________________”