Political Quotes

“Well, I don't understand why there are no amendments or floor debate. And I want to take my colleague's question to make some final points that I think are important. I have talked to some of our colleagues, and they have said: Well, what happens if we don't meet the July 1 deadline, as Senator Cantwell just referenced? Well, first of all, in the legislation there is a stay on litigation retroactive to December of 2015, meaning that any lawsuit filed after that point would be halted once the stay is enacted, which is basically when the legislation is enacted. There is no precedent to suggest that Puerto Rico would not be able to fund essential services while we work to get the bill right over the next few days. And once that stay is enacted, any pending lawsuits, including those attempting to freeze assets, would be deemed unenforceable. So the bogeyman of July 1, if we don't do this--No. 1, no, there is a stay already in the bill that would cover that. No. 2, I think some of my colleagues have said to me: Well, why did some of the Members of the House of Representatives who happen to be of Puerto Rican descent vote for the bill? Well, first of all, not all of them did. Congressman Gutierrez of Chicago voted against the bill. But you have to read the statements of my colleagues, for whom I have the deepest, deepest respect. I served with them in the House. I know their passion as it relates to Puerto Rico. I know their commitment to the people of Puerto Rico.…”