Political Quotes

“for those who have counted out the tobacco lobby, for those who said the tobacco giants are now flat on their backs and have no strength left on Capitol Hill, I am afraid the last vote is an indication that there is still life in that tobacco lobby. This vote of 42 to 56 on a motion to bring to a halt the debate and bring to a vote the tobacco bill is a sad commentary on where we are today. This legislation, S. 1415, which is the product of the Senate Commerce Committee and the hard work of both Republican and Democratic Senators, deserves a vote, not just because it is on the floor today but because what this bill sets out to do is so important for this Nation. Instead, what we have seen are the opponents of this legislation come to this floor over the last 3 weeks, producing amendments to grind us down, mire us down in debate, sink us in this morass of technicalities and procedures so we never get to this bill. Many of my colleagues, Senators, have come to this floor and offered very important amendments, interesting amendments. They are not related to tobacco and children though. An amendment comes to the floor from one of the Senators, 'Let's talk about reforming the Internal Revenue Code.' That is a good idea. We should do that on a regular basis. But on this bill? Why on this bill? This bill, which is designed to stop the addiction of our children to tobacco products, why should it be a forum for this debate on reforming the Internal Revenue Code?”