Political Quotes

“I would hope that we can deal with what some of the realities are here. There is going to be a closing statement where some of these matters will be discussed, but we cannot reach a compromise nor can we advance government if leaders on both sides are not willing to work together, nor can the other side expect this side to believe we can reach an agreement if top leaders on your side can scuttle a deal if they go back to their office and learn they were not consulted, or learn that they were not part of a meeting and suggest to Americans, suggest to this Congress that they have no problems with shutting down this government. Mr. Speaker, it seems fitting that the majority whip's name is DeLay, because that is what is happening here. But we have to deal with this reality. I say to my friends on the other side, if you can bring the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) to the table to agree to work to compromise and to reach some agreement, not for Republicans or Democrats, but for the people, then we can all go home. We are willing to deal. The President is willing to deal.”