Political Quotes

“I want to tell you at the outset that I feel badly all of you have to remain tonight for the debate preceding the vote. We asked the chairman to roll the vote. We are going to be here tomorrow. We might have had an extended debate, not inconveniencing you, but a full debate before the vote tomorrow. The chairman refused the request to roll the vote, and that is why you will participate in the debate. We will not be rushed in our effort to get on the record our reservations about this bill. And I do not care what tactics they use to put us in an awkward situation debating the bill at 11:30 at night. You are going to hear tonight a lot of thumping of the chests, a lot of patting on the back. We are passing a farm bill. You know, it is as though they did not realize the last farm bill expired at the end of 1995. We have had farmers all across the country considering very difficult decisions in terms of what to plant, what financing to get in place, not just the farmers but lenders, agribusiness men, all wondering about the actions of this Congress.”