Political Quotes

“I commend my colleague from Massachusetts and so many, including our President, for making this the high priority that it is. We know how vital this is for somebody like myself who is so concerned about Iran going nuclear and the cooperation of the Russians being so essential. The bottom line is, this treaty is essential. It is not just better, it is essential. But I must rise because of a comment my colleague from Arizona made. First let me preface what I say by my enormous respect for him. We have worked together on many issues. Nobody has done more to serve his country in this Chamber than the Senator from Arizona. I know that. He is a veteran. He is a serviceman. He served his country well. It is something I and every other Member of this Chamber greatly respect. But unfortunately, I heard him say words before in his desire to get this treaty fully debated, he said: 'After all of the fooling around on New York City,' referring to the Zadroga bill. This is not fooling around. These men and the thousands of others who rushed to the towers on 9/11 and in the days thereafter were not fooling around. They, just like my colleague from Arizona, were risking their lives. It was like a time of war. The bottom line is that we were attacked. And without asking any questions, the police and firefighters, the construction workers and EMT workers who rushed to the towers risked their lives in a time of war as well.”