Political Quotes

“I thank Chairman Crapo. I want to associate myself with my good friend from Tennessee, Senator Bob Corker. We always say ``good friend,'' but the truth is that Senator Corker has truly been a good friend. We came to this body together, and he has exhibited uncommon common sense in this body time and again, and once again, he has today. I thank Senator Corker for his remarks about this bill. Mr. President, time and again over the past year, I have been here on the Senate floor raising my concerns about the direction this body is heading--secret backroom deals on the healthcare bill, a ``take it or leave it'' tax bill that was dropped on our desks literally hours before the vote, and the floor time that has been wasted to score political points. Quite frankly, this dysfunction has turned the world's most deliberative body into a shell of its former self. Folks in Washington have shied away from the big debates and refused to tackle the tough issues that are facing hard-working Americans every day, but this week I am hopeful that can change. Today we begin the debate on the bipartisan Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. This bill is the product of years of bipartisan negotiations, hearings, and compromises. Under the leadership of Chairman Crapo and my good friends Senators Heitkamp, Donnelly, and Warner, we have struck a bipartisan agreement that is needed to provide an economic boost for rural America.…”