Political Quotes

“Mr. President, last night we began the rule XIV process on two important bills--the DREAM Act and Firefighters Collective Bargaining. It had been my intent to file cloture on both of these bills. However, supporters of the original bills requested that modifications be made. Those changes are reflected in the bills we introduced last night, and I intend to move forward on both of these. In addition, I intend to file cloture this week on the 9/11 health bill. So I will file cloture on all three at the same time. The current continuing resolution expires this Friday. We are awaiting House action on short term CR which we will receive later this week. I hope Members on both sides of the aisle will allow us to act quickly on this short term CR when we receive it. As we work to clear the short term CR, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees are working on legislation to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year. Earlier this morning, I received a letter from my Republican colleagues indicating they will filibuster any legislative matter brought to the floor prior to the completion of the spending and tax bills. No one is more eager to put both these issues behind us than I; however, passing either will require Republican votes. I wish I could report we are close to wrapping up action on both bills, but we are not. The first meeting that was requested by the President is taking place this morning. Senator McConnell chose Senator Kyl to represent Republicans.…”