Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I appreciate the opportunity to say that I totally agree. The vice chairman and I have worked aggressively for the entirety of the year where we had differences, and we found ways to bridge those differences, where we heard from Members, where we heard from associations, where we heard from businesses. We worked with them to try to accommodate their wishes, as long as it stayed within the spirit of what we were trying to accomplish, which is information sharing in a voluntary capacity. The vice chair and I came to the floor yesterday and said if an amendment--if an initiative falls outside of that, then we will stand up and oppose it because we understand the role this legislation should play in the process. The vice chairman said this is the first step. I don't want to scare Members, but there are some other steps. We are not sure what they are today or we would be on the floor suggesting those, but if we can't take the first step, then it is hard to figure out what the next and the next and the next are. So I am committed to continuing to work with the vice chairman and, more importantly, with all Members to incorporate their great suggestions as long as we all stay headed in the same direction, and I know the vice chairman and I are doing that.”