Political Quotes

“Mr. President, the only unanimous consent request I am going to make is at the end of my remarks I will ask for inclusion of something in the Record. I wish to share with the public what is taking place on the immigration bill before us. Unfortunately, very little is taking place. We have been on the floor of the Senate considering this bill for 2\1/ 2\ weeks, and only 13 amendments have been disposed of. We have had nine rollcall votes on amendments, and three of those amendments were tabling votes. Yet over 550 amendments have been filed to this bill. Senators are still filing amendments. The fact is less than 3 percent of all amendments filed have actually been considered. For a process that was labeled as ``fair and open,'' with the invitation to file amendments, even from the people who wrote the bill, the Gang of 8, it has become laughable. Our side has been asking for votes. We have tried to call up amendments. Last night we sent a list of 34 amendments over to the majority and requested votes on them. I am told they have refused that list, and I think it is because there are some tough votes on those amendments. They want to limit the number of amendments that can be considered. They want to choose the amendments. In a sense, they want to tell Republicans which amendments we can offer from our side. That is not right. I am very disappointed not just for myself but for a lot of other Members of the body. There is no deliberation.…”