Political Quotes

“I am very happy the Senate has now begun debate on S. 1. It is a strong, bipartisan package of ethics reforms and will help reassure the American people that we answer to them. The matter now before the Senate, S. 1, without the substitute I have offered, would be the most significant changes in ethics and lobbying reform since Watergate. So if we do nothing else other than adopt the Reid-McConnell S. 1, we should feel very good about what we are able to accomplish in this body. I repeat, if we accomplish nothing else, the legislation now before this body will be the most significant, important change in ethics and lobbying rules for about three decades. So without any question, S. 1 is a good start. But we should even do better, and that is what the substitute I sent to the desk on my behalf and that of Senator McConnell will do. It will even do better for the American people. For those who are watching this debate in the Senate and are expecting real, meaningful results, that is what is going to happen. I think the American people for sure are not interested in quick fixes or window dressing or a few public relations moves. They want bold changes. They want us to fundamentally alter the way business is done in the Nation's Capital and to ensure that the people's interests--not the special interests--come first in the Halls of Congress.”