Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, in November there were 435 contracts made in each of our districts, and we came here to represent as best we can the aspirations and the hopes of our constituents. I would hope that as we proceed, that we together work to merit and properly explain this institution so that we can merit the respect of the American public. I want to tell my new friends on both sides of the aisle who have come here that we spend a lot of time in this institution denigrating this institution. We have 435 campaigns that spend millions of dollars, and on both sides of the aisle we tell the American public how bad this institution is. That is a disservice. It is a disservice to this institution, and it is a disservice to our democracy. It is no wonder that the American public has come to believe that this institution is not as good as I believe it to be, having served here for 14 years, and is peopled by individuals of integrity, patriotism, and commitment to the common good.”