Political Quotes

“Madam President, this bill has 367 pages worth of earmarks, roughly 5 pounds of paper. Before it came to the Senate, dozens of House offices deleted their public disclosures. I think the swamp is rising again. Dr. Tom Coburn, he would be appalled by this. He called earmarks-- Madam President, I think it is clear that most aren't interested in talking about earmarks--something else. I believe they lead to waste and abuse. That is why Congress got rid of them 10 years ago. They should have never been allowed back. My amendment would cut every one of them from this bill that should have been run through regular process, through the Budget Committee, to where appropriators should have known what was in it until it landed in our laps last night. For anyone here that loves the institution, you ought to have enough common sense that $1.5 trillion deficits that are embedded in this bill aren't a good business plan for the institution. I ask you all here this evening: Make a statement--a symbolic one--to get rid of these earmarks. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator's time has expired.”