Political Quotes

“Mr. President, let me first say to our majority whip, Mr. Durbin of Illinois, that I very much appreciate his long-term effort in looking at rules. I know he signed on to several proposals today. I know he is on the one Senator Merkley and I are on, and he is also on the Harkin proposal. The Senator was here back in those days, and he has seen how much the Senate has changed. So we really appreciate the Senator's contribution to this effort and the remarkable job he has done trying to lead us in these difficult times we are in. It must be tough for somebody like him, who came to a Senate and saw it change over time, and change in the wrong way and get hyperpartisan. I want to say that to the Senator. I also want to say several of our speakers mentioned things, and I think it is very appropriate to put them in the Record because I think when people read the Congressional Record, and things are mentioned, it is important they be able to find them quickly. So the first one is from George Packer, who is a writer with the New Yorker magazine. He wrote a piece called ``The Empty Chamber'' dated August 9, 2010. I commend to my colleagues that article. It was mentioned in the course of the debate and it is an excellent article. He is a very good writer.…”