Political Quotes

“I wish to echo the comments of my colleague from Missouri. I too invite Senators to come down. We are showing that we can govern. We have our appropriations bills here, and we have already disposed of 8 amendments--actually, I think we have disposed of more than 8 by now--but we have 22 amendments pending. If Members have an amendment, come and speak to it. If a Member has reviewed these 22 and opposes them, have your day, have your say, because that is what the Senate is--due diligence, due deliberation. What we don't want is everybody--exactly as the Senator from Missouri said, who is the ranking member on Agriculture--coming at 5:30 or 6 or 7 o'clock and wanting to speak. I know the leadership on both sides of the aisle would like to move expeditiously and even, if possible, finish this bill tonight. I think we have agreed we are willing to work through the evening to dispose of amendments, but Senators have to speak on their amendments. So, again, on my side of the aisle, I would really encourage Members, if they have an amendment, to come and speak to it. Regardless of the side of the aisle a Member is on, if a person opposes an amendment, come and speak on it as well. Some of these are quite controversial. Again, we invite this due deliberation. Everybody has worked hard. We have done a lot in appropriations. We have ended earmarks--a topic I know is of special interest to many of our colleagues.…”