Political Quotes

“one of the legendary Senators who recently retired from the Senate after many years in the House and the Senate, Tom Harkin, if he were here, would be on the floor taking issue with what the Republican leader just said. Tom Harkin tried very hard to have a reauthorization of the elementary and secondary education bill. Why didn't he get it? Because Republicans blocked us from doing it. So it is nice that my friend the Republican leader comes and talks about all the great things being done in Congress now, but the fact is it could have been done many years ago had we had a little bit of cooperation from the Republicans. The new Republican majority has ignored upcoming deadlines and neglected to address urgent problems facing our great country. I am saying that--and that is just an understatement. Instead, they have governed through a series of last-minute, manufactured crises that increase uncertainty and impose unnecessary and wasteful costs on our country. In just a few minutes, we are going to debate the education matter, as we should. But as important as that is, it is extremely important we don't take our eye off the prize. And what is that? Because in just a few months, the government is going to run out of money. Unless we can reach a bipartisan budget agreement, our Nation will be faced with yet another ridiculous and damaging government shutdown.…”