Political Quotes

“Madam President, I too have an amendment that I have been attempting for a number of days to have made in order. This is the amendment that deals with the air traffic control towers. It is an amendment that very directly and simply transfers money from two accounts that have lots of money in them--the unencumbered balances of the Department of Transportation as well as a research fund--transfers $50 million from those two accounts to the air traffic control program. If we do that, we can at least avert--at least what the Department of Transportation says is necessary to eliminate that program--closing more than 170 air traffic control towers on April 7. I spoke earlier this morning, and I intend to speak before the vote occurs. I will not repeat myself at this point in time, but this morning I outlined--and I hope my colleagues were listening--the importance of this amendment to the safety of the traveling public. The modest nature of what we are trying to accomplish has the bipartisan support, as well as the wide range of support, from groups outside the Congress that support this amendment. I again ask unanimous consent to amend the previous order and bring up my amendment. It is amendment No. 55, that 10 minutes be equally divided, and we proceed immediately to a vote on that amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?”