On the recordDecember 15, 2010
as a Christian, no one has to remind me of the importance of Christmas for all of the Christian faith, all of their families all across America. I do not think any of us, and I do not need to hear the sanctimonious lectures of Senators Kyl and DeMint to remind me of what Christmas means. My question is, Where were their concerns about Christmas when they led filibuster after filibuster on major pieces of legislation during this entire Congress--not once but 87 times, taking days and days of the people's time in the Senate on wasteful delay? Senate Republicans need look no further than themselves in casting blame for the predicament we are in right now. In this Congress, I repeat, Republicans have waged 87 filibusters. They have used every procedural trick in the book to delay legislation that is important to the American people. We have been able to work through most of that and have what, in the mind of Norm Ornstein, the most successful Congress watcher in decades says is the most successful, productive Congress in the history of the country. We have done that in spite of all of the roadblocks that have been thrown in our way. In just a few minutes, we are going to proceed to the START treaty. I am told the Republicans are going to make us read the entire treaty in an effort to stall us from passing it. Isn't that wonderful. That treaty has been here since April or May of this year--plenty of time to read it.
