Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I am here tonight to join my colleagues because, like them, I am deeply disappointed that 41 Republican Senators tonight voted to stop us from even beginning to debate on legislation to rein in the reckless and risky Wall Street conduct that brought this economy to its knees. Rather than make the case out in the open on the floor of the Senate for the changes they want to the Wall Street reform bill, these 41 Senators who voted to block debate are, instead, saying they want changes worked out behind closed doors. They are actually saying they will prevent debate and hold this Wall Street reform bill hostage until they are accommodated behind closed doors. We heard Senator Kaufman say there are amendments he wants to the bill. There are amendments I wish to see in the bill. For example, I think we need to strengthen the provisions in the bill to prevent financial institutions that are supposed to be helping American companies finance their growth plans--that are supposed to be helping families save for their retirement, that are supposed to be helping families save for their kids' college education--to prevent those institutions from making risky side bets for their own profit. But rather than block the Senate from taking up the Wall Street reform until I get what I want, I intend to cosponsor the amendment the Presiding Officer and Senator Levin are sponsoring and then debate that issue openly on the floor of the Senate.…”