Political Quotes

“I know H.R. 3740 is an important piece of legislation. It extends the highway bill now in effect for 4 months. I have not spoken to Senator Inhofe today, but we have communicated through staff. He and I would rather have a 1-month extension. It is my understanding that the two leaders have met and think that 60 days would be an appropriate time. I want everybody to be on notice that if there is any effort to extend this beyond 60 days, I will do whatever I can to make sure that is not the case. It is so important that we move this most important piece of legislation to 4 months, as there will be no bill this year. We have spent too much time over here. It now appears that the debate is over dollars. It is not about the content of the bill in any way. I hope the two leaders understand the grief and difficulty that Senators Inhofe and I and Kit Bond and Senator Jeffords have gone through to get to the point where we are. I will agree with the decision of the two leaders, but when it comes back from the House, I hope there will be an agreement to split the difference after that.”