Political Quotes

“I appreciate the opportunity to briefly contribute what I can to this debate. One of the great honors, as the Presiding Officer knows, in being a freshman is the opportunity to preside. I had the opportunity to preside when the Republican leader came to the floor and spoke to Burma sanctions. So I just wanted to say to the Republican leader that because of that speech, I have familiarized myself with the issue of Burma sanctions that he spoke to earlier. I do think it is important that we move to it. I do think it is important to move forward on it. But the Republican leader made the comment earlier that he doesn't much understand the other part of the bill, which is AGOA, the African Growth and Opportunity Act. I choose to stand briefly to speak to that because I am the chair of the African Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Isakson and I joined with Congresswoman Bass and Congressman Smith in twice receiving dozens of Ambassadors from across the continent 3 months ago and 9 months ago as they expressed their grave concern about the thousands of mostly women all across the continent who are losing their jobs as we delay. The AGOA reauthorization expires in September, and I am grateful for Chairman Baucus and for his vigorous pursuit of renewal in a timely fashion. AGOA needs to be renewed promptly, not in September.…”