Political Quotes

“Mr. President, in reserving the right to object, first of all, I note that the customary path for bills and resolutions is for them to be considered by their committees of jurisdiction, marked up through regular process, and reported out to the Senate floor. I understand that many Members of this body have noble causes and good ideas that fall under the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Unfortunately, the chairman has only held one real legislative markup this entire year--in May. That one meeting, which included multiple pieces of substantive, bipartisan efforts, was ended prematurely before many pieces of vital legislation could be acted upon and without having a vote on even a single amendment. While the minority was strongly supportive of more legislative activity, the chairman pulled down another legislative markup, without any explanation, in the first week of July and yet another one, just this week, without any explanation. Regardless of those facts, I can tell you that I don't believe the majority, which has the convening power--and, lately, when it does list a committee hearing or a markup unilaterally decides to do so--has ever sought committee activity for Senator Lankford's resolution. This is the first time--and I would assume for others--that many are seeing it. He mentions the 8 months.…”