Political Quotes

“I thank my colleague from Maine for his statement and support for this effort. This is a historic moment. It has been 4 or 5 years since we have enacted and passed a budget agreement between the House and Senate. In a divided government, we have found many excuses and ways around it, but we are facing our responsibility today in the Senate. We are hoping that yesterday's procedural vote, with 67 Democrats and Republicans joining together, is an indication of the success we will find later today when this measure comes up for a final vote. Before I go any further, I wish to salute my colleague, my friend, and my fellow leader in the Senate, Senator Patty Murray of Washington. A few years ago Patty was given a tough assignment. She was given the assignment to chair the so-called supercommittee. I had been involved in a lot of deficit negotiations up to that point, and I thought, oh my goodness, she is walking into a minefield. Well, she did a professional job, a bipartisan effort. It didn't succeed, but she learned in the process not only more about our budget challenge but also more about the leaders in the budget process. And I think it was that painful experience with the supercommittee that set the stage for the much more successful negotiation over this budget agreement with Paul Ryan. Paul Ryan is no stranger to those of us in Illinois. His congressional district borders on our State in Wisconsin. I know Paul. I like him. I respect him.…”