Political Quotes

“I thank the many people who have played a role in bringing this to this point. That includes my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, 54 cosponsors of this legislation, staff people who have worked very hard on this, and I am grateful to all of them, as well as to organizations and people around the country who have expressed their concern. This is one where the people around the country have to express an interest. Senator Byrd has been quoted as saying it is the most important vote in 40 years in the U.S. Senate. Our former colleague, Paul Tsongas, who testified in behalf of this legislation last week, said it is the most important vote in the 20 years that he has been observing Congress. The reason it is more important, for example, than the 1986 vote when this lost by 1 vote is then there was the probability the House would defeat it. Today, this body remains the stumbling block, if there is a stumbling block. It is going to be a close vote. We all know that. But the House is ready to pass it and it will pass the House very, very quickly. My sense is, from talking with Governors and others, is that it will be ratified by the States very quickly. I think a very fundamental question is: What is the purpose of a constitutional amendment? The purpose of a constitutional amendment is, No. 1, to express philosophy and, No. 2, to prevent Government abuse. We have had Government abuse in abundance.…”