Political Quotes

“If not, then I will take the time to close. I wanted to say thanks to several Members, many Members on my side who have helped this week to clarify this issue and to build support for disaster funding for the 48 States that are currently experiencing devastation. I wish to thank Members on the other side of the aisle, particularly Senators Blunt, Vitter, Rubio, others, Senator Snowe who have left their voice and their vote to help us get to this point. I particularly wish to thank Senator Blunt for spending 15 minutes on the floor today saying how crucial this is not only to his State of Missouri but to the whole country. I wish to thank the Members on my side, Senators Leahy and Schumer and Hagan and others who have helped so much this week--Senator Shaheen, who has been at all the press conferences, Senator Sanders. Let me say this is the only vehicle--the only vehicle--we have before us to do long-term full funding for the disaster relief. This bill will provide help to Nebraska, to Minot, ND, to New York, to the east coast, to Tuscaloosa, AL, Joplin, MO. If we do not vote for this, the DRF funding will be empty. This money gives us not only additional funding for disaster relief, but it also provides an additional $1.1 billion for the Corps of Engineers and funding for a few other programs that are essential to rebuilding. I ask unanimous consent for an additional 30 seconds. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.”