Political Quotes

“two things: First of all, the Hatch amendment, that has always been offerable. We would have voted on that, and everyone within the sound of my voice should know that. We agreed to that--that he should be able to offer that amendment. We also talked about other amendments that could have been offered. We did not stop the amendments from being offered. My friend the Republican leader filled up the slot that was available, and he didn't want to take it down. We were willing, even though they were up there, to move other amendments. He didn't want to do that, for reasons I don't understand, but that is the way it was. We have agreed to seven nongermane, nonrelevant amendments, and I think that is fair. I have worked a good share of this afternoon trying to clear some of these other amendments. We have gotten permission from the Democratic Senators to have votes on these matters I have listed. I cannot get consent on the Johanns amendment. I cannot get consent on the Brown amendment. I cannot get consent on the Vitter amendment. I can't do that. I have tried. I can't get it done. So these are the ones I can get. On the Paul amendment, in my last conversation with the Republican leader he told me that Paul wasn't offered, and I appreciate that. But that is where we are. We could have six votes. We could complete this very quickly. I don't like this process, but I am going to go along with it. But that is my consent agreement. I can't do any more. Mr. McCONNELL.…”