Political Quotes

“this will be the third extension of this very important legislation. The first extension was the 5-month extension. We did that because we could not get our act together: Senator Inhofe, Senator Jeffords, Senator Bond, and this Senator. As a result of that, we got a commitment from the majority leader and the minority leader we could take up this bill at a specified time in February. Everyone lived up to that agreement, and we did that. Within almost a record period of time, we passed this very important legislation. So that was the reason for the first extension. The second extension was necessary because the House had not yet done their legislating. We asked for a 2-month extension on this matter on February 27. At that time Senators McCain and Lieberman objected to that extension because they had some problems with the 9/11 Commission. As a result of that, a number of us came to the floor and said: How could Senator McCain and Senator Lieberman do such a thing? And in the process, statements were made, some of which were by the distinguished Senator from Missouri. I quote from the Congressional Record of that date. I will not read the whole statement. I will read that which is pertinent. This is a quote from the distinguished Senator from Missouri: What the Senators from Arizona and Connecticut are doing is seeking to hold hostage the whole highway program in the United States. I agree. That is what is happening now.…”