Political Quotes

“First, Mr. President, I thank the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Isakson of Georgia. To say that he has been a leader is certainly an understatement. He has devoted countless hours to forging a coalition in the best tradition of the U.S. Senate, a bipartisan coalition that enabled us to unanimously bring together Republicans and Democrats on the Veterans' Affairs Committee in approving the Veterans First Act for consideration by this body. My reason for being here today is to say to our colleagues that we must move forward. We must seize this opportunity--no matter which side of the aisle we sit on--to move this bill forward, keep faith with our veterans, leave no veteran behind, and make sure we honor their service by fulfilling our obligations to our job. Our job now is to make sure we pass the Veterans First Act. I have listened with interest to some of my colleagues' comments on a decision by the Attorney General of the United States, and then the Secretary of the Veterans Administration, to decline to defend a part of the Choice statute. Quite frankly, I share their questions and a number of their concerns. I want to know from the Attorney General of the United States why the decision was made to decline enforcement of this statute on constitutional grounds, saying that it violated the appointments clause of the Constitution. After 40 years of practicing law, I can say I have done very little litigation involving the appointments clause of the U.S.…”