Political Quotes

“I am advising all Members to ensure that their schedules accommodate sessions between the 16th and the 20th of December, which was originally, as the gentleman points out, not scheduled. But that was on the thought that we would rationally get past the only bills we really have to pass, and that is appropriation bills. By the way, Madam Speaker, the way that should work is we pass a bill, the Senate passes a bill, and, yes, they require 60 votes. Well, what does that mean? It means they have to come to a compromise at a higher number. We didn't have to do that. We got some Republican votes for some of the bills. But the fact is, we did our business and, frankly, we did it before--it has been done since I have been here--96 percent of the government funded, and we sent them to the Senate. The Senate has not considered a single one of those bills because they had no stomach for compromise, which was why we are negotiating with Mr. Mnuchin and not the Senate leadership to listen to what, apparently, the President will accept. I agree with the minority whip that considering the administration's views is important because, of course, we want the bills signed. But we have known for a very long time that the Republicans could not--on this floor--neither Speaker Ryan, nor Speaker Boehner could negotiate with Mr. Mulvaney. The minority whip knows that, Madam Speaker.…”