Political Quotes

“Yes. I am aware of it. It is sadly troubling, because what the President did in making that statement is to mischaracterize what happened. The Senator may recall, as I do, that Senator Byrd came before this body early on and said to us we have a problem in America. If we are going to protect America, we need to make a substantial investment in changes such as a statewide communications system for Nevada and Illinois so the police, fire, and medical responders can all be on the same network if there is terrorist activity or a disaster. These investments are basic. And also in the area of bioterrorism, to make sure that doctors, nurses, and health care personnel are adequately trained and that hospitals are ready if there is anthrax, God forbid, as we faced on Capitol Hill. Senator Byrd came time and time again to this floor and begged us, as a nation, to be responsive. Unfortunately, time and time again, he was rejected. When we finally sent a $2.5 billion amount to the White House, asking them to put that into homeland security, it was effectively vetoed-- $2.5 billion stopped. So the President cannot point the finger at Congress.…”