Political Quotes

“I am going to talk today about why I am opposing the Presidential request for fast track legislation and, while I am not authorized to speak for anyone but myself, I think I reflect the views of many of my Democratic colleagues and some of my Republican colleagues, but particularly my Democratic colleagues who are opposing the request, even though for many of us the goal of more trade negotiated through fast track authority is ultimately something we want to support. I want to take this time because of the absolutely central imperative that Thomas Jefferson urged on all of us engaged in the making of public policy when he wrote the Declaration of Independence, the decent respect for the opinions of mankind. It is essential that we be explicit about our reasons, especially since, as I said, expanded trade negotiating authority and the agreements that would result therefrom ultimately, I believe, are in the public interest, but not in the current context.”