Political Quotes

“Before my friend leaves, you know, I study legislation. I have worked on this matter for many years. As the leader, I have directed more floor attention to this than any other issue. So I understand the bill quite well. But one thing I want to ensure people know before my friend from New York leaves the floor is this: I always thought we could pass a bill. I told my friend that. But I think Senator Schumer--no one, not one of 100 Senators, no one other than the Senator from New York thought we could get 70 votes. I doubted he could get 70 votes. He knows I doubted that. No one in this body thought we could get 68, 72 votes except him. So I have watched a lot of things on the floor as long as I have been here in Congress--31, not as long as the Senator from New York, but I have been in the Senate longer than he has. For the vision to see this could take place is remarkable. I so admire his ability to hang tight when everyone was saying, leave this alone, just get a bill passed. He was not satisfied with that. That was not good enough. Because Senator Schumer alone--alone--if there is someone I missed, he can tell me about that, but I do not know of anyone who agreed with him. So, Mr. Subcommittee Chair, thank you for a vision, and for this big vote we are going to have. I am not sure that we could have gotten it done. Perhaps. But this is a pathway to satisfying the demands of this country, the demands of this country.…”