Political Quotes

“I thank the distinguished majority leader for yielding. I will not take long. I have been in the Senate 4 years now, and I think my colleagues know I do not come down to the floor and spout a lot of hot air. But I have to be heard tonight. I will agree with my friend the majority leader on one thing: This is no way to legislate. He said those words a few moments ago, and I agree. We have become accustomed to a procedure, and I have disagreed with that procedure, but it has been the regular order during the time I have been here; that is, the usual practice is a bill is brought to the floor, and the majority leader immediately offers every amendment that can possibly be offered in a parliamentary way, thus filling the amendment tree and preventing other Senators from offering amendments. Then cloture is filed and we don't have an opportunity to have a full hearing. I am told this has not always been the practice, but we have been accustomed to that practice. What happened tonight is far different from that. I think that is why my friend from Tennessee propounded the question to the majority leader. We had a bill--and it may be a messaging bill, but if it were passed, it would be a significant piece of legislation. I think both sides acknowledge that. No amendments were allowed precloture and no amendments have been allowed postcloture. The majority leader, this very day, after the cloture vote assured the Senate that we would be operating under an open process.…”