Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I want to remind us today of President Lincoln's words to Congress. He said this: ``The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.'' So said President Abraham Lincoln. So it is today. This occasion is piled high with difficulty, but we must rise to the occasion. Our challenges are piled high, and this House must rise to meet them. We find ourselves in new and unprecedented circumstances, so, Mr. Speaker, we must think anew and act anew. The House has a duty to the American people to do its job, even in a crisis like this one that nobody on this floor has ever experienced. The House has a duty to the American people to do its job, especially in a crisis like this. Let me say at the outset, Mr. Speaker--I want my colleagues to hear me on this--that there is no substitute for personal interaction of Members in a committee room or on the House floor. I share that view, Mr. McCarthy shares that view, Ms. Pelosi shares that view, Mr. McConnell shares that view. But when that is not possible because it poses a mortal danger-- 86,000 plus of our fellow citizens have died because they contracted COVID-19. It poses a mortal danger to the health of Members, staff, press, and the public, and therefore, we must provide an alternative way to do the people's business.…”