Political Quotes

“we all know as Members of this institution that this is a troubled House of Representatives. At times in the history of this institution it has also been similarly troubled. But I have heard from many who have served longer than the 3 rac{1}{2} terms I have served that they have never remembered the place being as mean-spirited, as venal, as partisan as it is now. I think we ought to be working on ways to change that, and I know many of the Members on both sides of the aisle are men and women of good spirit that would very much like to work to get a greater comity of views, even across the wide divergence of opinion in this body. That really depends upon process, rules of fair play. There is a majority. There is a minority. But if the rules of fair play are engaged in, losing votes is something the minority will understand, just as long as the process is a fair one. Now, what is so objectionable about the amendment offered by the chairman is that it completely blows up any notion of fairness in the appropriations process.”