Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise today to speak against the process by which this body is passing major legislation as we approach the end of this fiscal year. Last week we were asked, without debate or amendment, to pass at least a half dozen bills reauthorizing or extending expiring laws and spending authorities--some of which authorize the expenditure of billions of dollars over the next year. Actions such as this are a big part of what gives Washington a reputation for being dysfunctional. The fact that authorizations for many programs expire on September 30 each year is not a secret. Nor is it a secret when September 30 will come around each year. But instead of planning ahead, working for weeks or months to address a foreseeable need, and actually doing its work on time, Congress resorts to passing massive bills at the last minute when there is not time for serious scrutiny or changes. It is unconscionable this body would avoid debating such programs in a meaningful way. I would ask my colleagues, can you be sure these programs are working as efficiently as possible? Can you assure the American people the Federal Government is maximizing value for their tax dollars? Are these bills taking meaningful steps to eliminate waste and duplication within these programs? We would know the answers to those questions if these bills had gone through the normal process of consideration in committees and on the Senate floor.…”