Political Quotes

“Mr. President, we just heard a very instructive discussion on legislation proposed by the veterans authorizing committee. I wish to compliment both the chair and the ranking member on the debate. It was content rich, it was civil, and there were moments where we learned things about what was going on at the VA that were new to many of us. What was so impressive was the fact that they worked together on a bipartisan basis. They saw that their first duty was a patriotic duty, which was to serve veterans. You just heard the distinguished chair and ranking member speak to that. I thought it was terrific. They took about 45 minutes off because the bill pending is the Commerce-Justice-Science bill. Because I knew compromises were being worked on, this was time we were more than willing to share with them. So I want to compliment them. That also happened in the Committee on Appropriations. Senator Kirk, who chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on MILCON-VA, and the ranking member, Senator Jon Tester, have worked hard too. Right now we are trying to get a conference report done so there are the financial resources to help implement the policy objectives my colleagues so eloquently and instructively presented to us just now. I would hope we have a conference that is worthy of the authorization that is being presented. I can assure you--again, in the spirit my colleagues represented here--our patriotic responsibility comes before personality or party, which is the way to go.…”