Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, let us understand what this debate is about. We have before us title II of a proposal that has over 25 major and important reforms and a motion to commit that will be coming that will say, Let's not consider these reforms tonight, reforms that will eliminate committees, reforms that will eliminate rolling quorums, make accountable votes in committees, and require automatic rollcall votes for spending money and raising taxes, and one which is especially important to our class--the freshman class of last year--and that is the discharge petition. What is the reason for saying, Let's not enact these reforms tonight? Because we have the gift ban proposal put forward that our Speaker today said we will address in this Congress. You cannot use the issue of saying we want to do it tonight, to dodge these important reforms. We will get to the gift ban, but tonight let us focus on the reforms that this House needs, that the people of this country want, and let us get on with the business of reforming this House.”