Political Quotes

“Madam President, I rise for a final time as the vice chair of the Appropriations Committee. Tonight, as we get ready to vote, these will be the last votes I will cast in the U.S. Senate. The ones we do today and possibly tomorrow will write my final chapter as a voting Member of the U.S. Senate. I am very proud to be the first woman and the first Marylander to chair the Appropriations Committee. I am going to thank my fellow members of the Appropriations Committee and especially Chairman Cochran, who has been my friend and ally on moving these bills forward. I wish to also express a special thanks to my colleague and partner on the Commerce-Justice Subcommittee, Chairman Richard Shelby, for his steadfast advocacy for the important needs facing this country. The Appropriations Committee is a problem-solving committee. Our markups are vigorous and rigorous, but at the end of the day, we do try to find compromise without capitulating on our principles. That is why I wish I was standing here today presenting the Senate with a full-year funding bill instead of a temporary bill through April 28. Throughout the year, I have come to the floor seeking additional funding for fighting heroin and opioid abuse, helping the people of Flint, MI, and also dealing with the Zika response treatment. I am happy to report to my colleagues the Zika bill did pass in September, and this continuing resolution would have done all three. This bill includes important needs for our country.…”