Political Quotes

“I understand that soon Senator Levin will come to the floor, and perhaps there will be an exchange between Senator Cornyn and Senator Levin about a matter that may be coming to a vote sometime in the next half hour, and that would be the motion to table the filling of the tree. I wish to speak for a moment or two about that. I think sometimes we talk about these things in shorthand within the Senate, and perhaps our constituents don't know what we are referring to when we say the majority leader has come in and filled the tree. I know most Members understand this, but what that means is the majority leader comes in and he offers all of the amendments that could possibly be ordered at one particular time and, therefore, doesn't give anyone else the opportunity to offer amendments. That has really been a problem for us on the minority side. We have that situation now, and perhaps the motion that will soon be made by Senator Cornyn will take care of that. But on this important Defense bill, which has been brought to the floor in a shorthand manner, the majority leader has filled the tree, and there are five amendments offered. One of the amendments, amendment No. 2555 by Senator Reid of Nevada, simply does this: Strike the words ``3 days'' and put ``4 days.'' That is all the amendment does. Another amendment: Strike the words ``4 days'' and insert ``5 days.'' That is all the amendment does. There is another amendment that says: The act shall be effective 3 days after enactment.…”