Political Quotes

“I thank Senator Kaine. I appreciate his outline of how this legislation went from unlikely to have much impact, because we didn't have the consensus and the numbers necessary to get it through the finish line. It would have had a very, very difficult time getting through the committee--let alone the floor of the Senate, the House, and signed by the President--but for how people listen to each other. So I am pleased the two of you went on the trip together because I think we need to do more of that in the Senate. Senator Kaine and Senator Corker are both individuals who have a deep respect for the proper role of the Senate, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the Senators. I am proud to serve with both of you. I am pleased to see that we have found ways that we really can bridge differences in order to achieve a common purpose. We were not interested in scoring political points. We are interested in doing what our responsibility is all about. So Senator Corker is now probing a way in which we can reauthorize the State Department, the role that our committee should have, and, therefore, to directly deal with our responsibilities in the Senate through the appropriate committee. I think all of these are efforts with which, working together, we can have the Senate perform the proper role in this government of ours to make sure that the legislative branch weighs in where it is appropriate on foreign policy issues.…”