Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, reclaiming my time. Obviously, we will have an opportunity to continue, as we should, this tribute to Tom Wickham. So, Tom, congratulations on what you have done to preserve the integrity of this institution. We come here as Republicans, Democrats, as Americans first, but people who all have their own views. Even if you are Republican, we don't all think exactly the same way, as Democrats don't always think the same way. But we come here to achieve certain things, to make this a more perfect Union in the ways in which our districts--our 750,000, roughly, people elect us to come and be part of this democracy, the world's greatest democracy. You come and work with other people. Sometimes, you battle with other people in the arena of legislative ideas. It is not physical confrontation, as the majority leader pointed out. But sometimes, you have to persuade. Sometimes, you have to fight for your beliefs. But ultimately, if you are going to achieve the things you came here to do, you have to change legislation. It takes an act of Congress, as they say. When you do that, you have to follow the rules. The Jefferson Manual that goes back to 1801 are the rules that govern this great House. If there is a bill on the floor and you wish to make a change to that bill, you want to offer an amendment to the bill, bring a motion to recommit on the bill, you have to work within the rules.…”