Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I thank the leadership on both sides for giving me an opportunity, in just a few minutes, to have a portion of the time when it comes to the discussion of the bill we are going to be voting on at noon. But I thought before I got to that time I had been allotted in the unanimous consent agreement--and I am very grateful to the leadership on both sides for giving me that opportunity--I would take a minute to give a preview while there was no one on the floor asking for time now. This massive tax bill has been negotiated by many people of good will. I see the Senator from Montana, the Finance Committee chair, who has been at the table in these negotiations, and Senator McConnell and Senator Kyl and Senator Reid--men who have truly worked very hard. There were representatives from the White House in these negotiations. I know in their minds they did their very best. I have had some serious issues with portions of the package. I have expressed those on the floor of the Senate on behalf of the constituents I represent. I think I have made my points. I think they have been very clear. I appreciate the opportunity, as a Senator, to be able to voice those complaints. I am not on the floor right now to talk about the major pieces of that tax package with which I strongly disagree. I intend to vote for it. I signaled that in the vote 2 days ago. I am unhappy with many pieces of it, but that is not why I am here to speak today.…”