Political Quotes

“the Senate's work is that of legislating. The art of legislating is rooted in good faith, and, always, legislation by definition is the art of compromise. In order to accomplish things for the American people, the Senate must work together in good faith, but I am seeing very few good-faith efforts from the Republicans on Zika, among other things. What I am seeing is one cynical Republican ploy after another. It is clear now that Republicans are not going to provide President Obama and the country with the $1.9 billion in emergency Zika funds that public health officials need, but Democrats still want to get as much funding as the experts tell us they need in order to stop Zika. To that end, the President of the United States, Leader Pelosi, and I have made several entreaties to the Republican leaders--that is, Senator McConnell and Speaker Ryan--pleading with them to work with us. Last Thursday, the administration tried to schedule a meeting with Speaker Ryan and Senator McConnell in the same room with Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell and Director Shaun Donovan, the leader of the Office of Management and Budget. This was an opportunity for Republicans in Congress and the administration to get on the same page about Zika and chart a path forward. Speaker Ryan and Senator McConnell said no to me. They wouldn't even meet with two members of the President's Cabinet. Democrats are disappointed, but we continue to look for solutions.…”