Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I thank the majority leader for his leadership on an amendment to the Transportation bill, the Menendez- Reid-Burr amendment. For short title purposes, it is called the NAT GAS bill. This is not a new bill. It is not a difficult bill to understand. It is a game changer as it relates to our energy policy in this country and, more importantly, the economic security of our country. I wish to take these 40 minutes to walk through the bill. But before I do that, it is essential to say to my colleagues and to their staffs and to the American people: If for some reason you believe that in the next 18 months in America we are going to have massive tax reform-- lower rates, no deductions, no credits, no subsidies--then I want you to do me a favor. Turn off your TV. Leave the gallery. I will never convince you this is the right move. In fact, if I believed we were going to do comprehensive tax reform, I would not be on this floor. I would not be offering this amendment. But the truth is, there is nobody in America who believes that is going to happen. Let me say this to all of my colleagues, their staffs, and to the American people: If you believe some miraculous thing is going to happen and there is going to be peace in the Middle East--no civil wars, no nuclear advancements, no threats--then turn off your TV. Leave the gallery. I will never convince you nor would I be here today if I thought that was going to happen.…”