Political Quotes

“Reserving the right to object, I first want to thank the gentleman from Maryland for working with us, and I especially want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield) for his fairness. Obviously, emotions ran high as the vote was moved through without a recorded vote. And for our Members who want that recorded vote, maybe on both sides that want a recorded vote, I made parliamentary inquiries to the Chair. I made motions as well. Some were in order, some were out of order. But every request I made of the Speaker pro tempore to provide that direction on what was in order for motions to make, the Speaker pro tempore was incredibly fair in those deliberations. I want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina for that fairness. I am glad I never had to go before you as a judge in those days, but I respect your friendship and your fairness, as well as the fairness to the gentleman from Maryland. I do recall a number of occasions when we were in the majority where there were times where maybe a Member wasn't recorded on a vote. They might have just gotten in as the vote was closed and wanted to have reconsideration, and, after conversation, it is always the right thing to do to make sure that these proceedings go in accordance with the requests of the Members to be recorded, whether we win or lose. Maybe over the weekend I will have the opportunity to whip some more votes, and we might prevail, but at least to have that opportunity to vote.”