Political Quotes

“If I may respond to my colleague's question, I don't care if the majority leader is a Republican or a Democrat--they are always trying to figure out how do we have time on the calendar to get this stuff done. They are always looking at ways. And one of the best ways to ensure legislation actually fits into a reasonably small period of time is to line up bipartisan support. I tell my colleague, I have been here in the Senate for a while, and this is almost a picture-book way to pass legislation: Work it up through the grassroots--Democratic Lautenberg and Republican Vitter and now with your role and others. There are not many bills in the Senate that have 26 or 27 Democrats and an equal number of Republicans. Has everything been worked out? No. Is there a need for amendments? Yes. Is there a need for a filibuster? No. We should bring it to the floor. I think we should go to the majority leader and visit with him early and often and continue to remind him. And those who believe in this, whether they happen to be on the environmental side or happen to be folks in the health care arena or maybe on the manufacturing side--and we thank those who have helped us draft this--we ask for them not to be silent about it but to urge not just us but the leadership to find time--a couple of days--to bring this bill to the floor and just get it done.…”