Political Quotes

“earlier today, my friend from South Dakota, the Republican Senator John Thune, came to the floor and discussed the filibuster. It has been a topic of discussion not only this week but even before. I hope that Senator Thune will concede that whether you are for the filibuster or against the filibuster, we should certainly be dedicated to the proposition that the U.S. Senate should be a deliberative body that actually considers amendments and legislation on the floor. Now, what I just said sounds very routine and normal. It is radical when you look at the record of the U.S. Senate. Last year, under the Republican leadership of Senator McConnell, we had 29 amendments on the floor the entire year--29. That was really an improvement over the previous year, 30 percent better than the previous year--22 amendments. What that says to those who may not be familiar with Senate procedure is that the floor is empty and no one is here because we aren't taking up legislation. Why? So far this year, we have done three things in the Senate: the impeachment trial; the reconciliation bill, the American Rescue Plan by President Biden; and nominations. What do those three things have in common? None of them, not one of them can be stopped by a filibuster. Why aren't we taking up other legislation? Because looming over us is a supermajority requirement of 60 votes to get anything done.…”