Political Quotes

“Madam President, a moment ago when I saw Senator Shelby and Senator Leahy shake hands warmly in the middle of the aisle, I thought of it as a century of service in the Congress. It is a century of learning lessons that fortunately they have both been able to share with us. I mentioned in my farewell remarks the other day Senator Shelby and Senator Leahy and how, working with both of them on the Appropriations Committee and the Rules Committee, I learned so much from them. But I was reminded today--I have heard a number of these speeches in the time I have been in the Senate, and I don't think anybody ever has reminded us quite so well of the oath we take--the oath we take to the Constitution, the oath we take to do this job as well as we can, and the promise we make, frankly, to find a solution. It is a lot easier in Washington these days and in the Senate it is a lot easier to find a fight than it is to find a solution. We have kind of fallen into a place where so many people now run for office talking about what they will never do. Frankly, when you start talking about what you will never do, that usually takes us out of the conversation of what can be done, and if anybody here has been a determined participant in finding what could be done, it is Senator Shelby. That certainly does not mean that he gives in easily. Many times I have been asked by other Members or the press: What do you think Senator Shelby is thinking about this final deal?…”