On the recordJuly 31, 2014
as we begin to close out this part of the debate, I would just say that the issues I am advocating are deeply personal to me and, I believe, deeply personal to all Senators. When I talk about the fact that we have to fund help for wildfires in several States and help them be able to help themselves by replenishing the money for the Forest Service, I am reminded of the fact that a great writer by the name of de Tocqueville came to the United States to hear: What is this thing called democracy? He wrote that famous book, ``Democracy in America.'' In it he called for something that he observed. He said what sets America apart is its habits of the heart, that it helps neighbor helping neighbor. Now, we used to do that through barn raising and pancake suppers. But, my gosh, these issues have gotten too big, too horrific. We now have thousands of acres burning, homes being destroyed, businesses being destroyed. We need to be able to help our neighbors in the West. And I say to my colleagues from the West: I appreciate all the support you have given us on the East Coast who faced hurricanes. We didn't say we practice ZIP Code politics, that we only help one part of the country when they are facing a disaster. Habits of the heart, de Tocqueville said that is what defines us. We now need to help that. This issue now in terms of the Israelis and Iron Dome began for me right after I was elected to the Congress.…
