Political Quotes

“as we approach the end of actually a rather short, abbreviated debate on this legislation, I want to say a few words encouraging my colleagues to join the Presiding Officer, myself, and our respective Republican and Democratic floor managers in supporting this measure. Let me begin by saying to Chairman Shelby and our ranking Democrat, Senator Sarbanes, that I think it is rather remarkable that we have come through the deliberations of the past year. We had extensive, balanced hearings on this legislation that gave people from all sides of the issue the chance to comment on what they would like to see us do with respect to reauthorization of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This is the way the process is supposed to work. We have a deadline, and that deadline is to act by December 31. Our chairman and ranking Democrat have orchestrated a series of hearings, as I said earlier, which allowed financial institutions to come in, allowed consumer groups to come in, and other folks--rank-and-file citizens--to share with all of us on the Banking Committee how they think we ought to proceed. We did not have one hearing; we have had a whole series of hearings. I think what emerged from those hearings is a consensus that we aspire to have, but all too rarely see. I am proud to be part of this process, and I suspect the Presiding Officer feels the same way.”