Political Quotes

“I don't know the exact timing of the vote. There is no attempt to delay. We are just getting started at this point. I will be happy to work with the Senator from Arizona. We are certainly not trying to postpone it to be the last vote. We can certainly do it earlier rather than later, but we would like to have some flexibility to look at a group of amendments we might vote on which relate to the same subject area. I believe I can speak on behalf of the ranking member in saying we are committed to a vote on the amendment and want to work with Senator McCain as to a time. Mr. McCAIN. I thank the distinguished manager. Since I have the floor, I would like to make a brief statement about the amendment. I understand the objection, and I would rely on the good offices of the manager of the bill, as well as the ranking member, that we would have a vote early on in regard to this amendment and not at the last minute when we are trying to complete the votes on the amendments to the bill. The amendment by Senator Feinstein and me would eliminate taxpayer- subsidized crop insurance for tobacco. The Congressional Budget Office estimates this amendment would save taxpayers $333 million. Again, that is the estimate of the Congressional Budget Office. It might surprise Americans to know that despite efforts to end traditional farm subsidies for tobacco producers, government handouts for tobacco lives on in the form of highly subsidized crop insurance.…”