Political Quotes

“I will take questions at some point, but I patiently sat here waiting for my own time. I will use it, and then I will allow the Senator to stand and ask a question. In the same statement, there was criticism of the participation. Apparently, I or Senator Paul had not spent the time or hadn't devoted the time to this particular piece of legislation. I have been working on this for years. I think the chairman knows I am passionate when I get involved. It is not from a standpoint of a lack of knowledge, it is from a standpoint of trying to achieve the right end. The chairman said very clearly that we are not going to make this perfect out of committee; we are going to have another shot at it on the Senate floor. Let me remind my colleagues that 55 times in this Congress the majority has chosen to fill the amendment tree, meaning that no minority Member has had an opportunity to amend the legislation. How could I feel good about a truncated markup process that happens 4 days after I physically got an 868-page bill, when the caveat that I am given is: Oh, but you will have another opportunity to do it on the floor? Maybe, maybe not. I don't think the chairman can make an assurance to me that we are going to have an open rule on the Senate floor that allows unlimited amendments. If he can, I will yield to him for that consent. It is above his pay grade. It is above mine, too.…”