Political Quotes

“I have worked in and around legislatures in the Congress for most of my life, over 30 years. I understand what being in the minority means. That means we usually lose. That is part of the business. I also believed when I was elected to the Senate that I had an obligation beyond my obligation to the people of the State of Illinois, an obligation to this institution. This institution represents something special in the history of this Nation. Only about 1,840 men and women have had the honor to serve in the Senate. I think we all feel an obligation to our Nation, to our Constitution but, equally, we feel an obligation to the Senate. I have stood by for the last 4 years and watched consistently while the Republican majority has reduced the opportunity for Members of the Senate to express their point of view, reduced the opportunity to deliberate the great issues, reduced the opportunity for people to stand up and speak from the heart on the floor of the Senate. I don't believe that is consistent with the history or tradition of the Senate.”