Political Quotes

“Americans believe Congress is broken, and it is no mystery why. Political divisions in this Chamber are so great they often prevent the Senate from performing even its most fundamental difficulties. Divisions are so great they prevented this body from confirming Presidential nominees, which is a constitutional obligation we have. These days, it is no longer enough to be a qualified nominee. It is no longer enough to have bipartisan support. And in the case of judicial nominees, it is no longer enough to be reported unanimously out of the committee. Last year, my Republican colleagues blocked or delayed scores--scores of outstanding nominees. Why? Because they want to defeat President Obama. They said so. That was their No. 1 goal. And it is he who made these nominations. So that is the No. 1 goal, to go after him any way they can. At the end of last year, Republicans refused to allow votes on 16 judicial nominees who were reported out of the committee unanimously--Democrats and Republicans. Unfortunately, this year may bring more of the same. Already this year--the last few weeks--some Republicans have come to the floor and threatened to drag out the confirmation process for every nominee for the rest of the year. This Republican obstructionism is supposedly retribution for President Obama's recess appointment of Richard Cordray. No one questions his qualifications--no one. He was called upon by the President to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.…”