Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I am shortly going to move to the Defense authorization bill. I hope we can avoid a cloture vote on it. But from what I have been able to determine, that will not be possible. I have had a number of conversations with Democratic Senators and Republican Senators. I have explained to them that if we are permitted to move to the bill, either by consent or cloture on the motion to proceed, there are a number of amendments that I think need to be considered on it initially. I have stated what those would be more than likely. In my conversations with my Republican friends, they have indicated that they want, likely, more than just a motion to strike the don't ask, don't tell that is in the base of the bill. I said that is fine. The main thing I want--and I think it is fair in the waning hours of this session before the election--is that we would have the text of whatever the amendment might be and also a time agreement because everybody is aware that someone could get on an amendment and talk forever. I am trying to be as reasonable as possible. These decisions don't have to be made today, but I would like to do it before Tuesday because I am going to have to make decisions Tuesday on what we are going to do on this bill. The main thing I have explained to Democrats--and they know this--and I say to my Republican colleagues, the work we do on this bill prior to the election is not the end of this bill. This bill normally takes some time.…”