Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I am optimistic that soon we will be able to enact legislation to reopen our government and affirm the world's longstanding confidence in our financial stability and system of democracy. The current situation is an unfortunate byproduct of our sometimes discordant form of government which at this time happens to be divided between our two parties. Despite the challenges of recent weeks, I hope this experience demonstrates to the Senate, to the other body, and to the administration, that the Nation is best served when we work together. If we allow our current hardships to pass, only to immediately entrench and get ready for the next crisis, we will be wasting an opportunity to extract a positive outcome from these last, difficult weeks. Under the rules of the Senate, individual Senators are provided with significant power to shape the activity of this body. That is the way the Senate was designed to operate, and it has served this body and the country well. Recognizing that the rights entrusted to each of us can be powerful, we must be judicious in their application. We must always remember that each of us was elected by the people. If we work in cooperation, and even opposition, with a sense of realism and respect for ourselves and our institution, I believe this body can function effectively.…”