Political Quotes

“I have spoken to the Republican leader on more than one occasion, but I want to make sure all the Members understand that we have a 4-week work period. This is the second week of a 4-week work period, and we have certain work we have outlined that needs to get accomplished. I hope everyone understands what we have to get done this week, next week, and the week after. The reason we are pressing so much work into this limited work schedule is, first of all, it is necessary for a number of reasons and, second, this Senate has worked over the last number of years really hard during holidays. I have traveled, trying to get home for Christmas. I was here on Christmas Eve; I have done that twice. It has been extremely difficult for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and, of course, New Year's. It is wonderful to be able to go home to our families, our friends, but we also have work to do. We represent our States, and there is work we cannot do when we can only go home for weekends. Some of us live a long ways away--it takes a day to get there and a day to get back--so it really is more complicated for those who live west of the Mississippi. The whole point is to communicate to everyone that we are going to try to take Thanksgiving week off and the week after. The Republican leader and I really want to get that done, but we cannot do it if we are held up on procedural matters that are unnecessary. I have outlined what we need to get done.…”