Political Quotes

“Mr. President, rather than spend time yesterday on a terribly destructive rules change, Leader McConnell could have focused the Senate on an urgent matter that this Chamber has failed to act on: disaster relief. In a few moments, Senator Leahy and I will ask unanimous consent to have a vote on a new version of the emergency disaster relief that couldn't get through the Senate earlier this week. Our new amendment offers this Chamber a path forward from this week's impasse. It is a plan that meets everyone's needs. It doesn't say only aid this or only aid that; it recognizes all American citizens deserve to be helped when disaster strikes. The amendment Senator Leahy and I will offer provides $16.7 billion in relief for Americans struck by natural disasters last year and in the last 2 years. It includes $2.5 billion in new funding--funding that the bill from the Republican side that failed, offered by Senators Shelby and Perdue, did not have--$2.5 billion in new funding for the recent flooding in Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri. We all agree these communities need assistance now. This amendment also crucially includes aid for our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico and other territories. It doesn't say to pick one or to pick the other. It says to do both. All of us in this Chamber should agree that we must do something now to help all Americans in need. This amendment offers our Republican friends--those who have said we need aid in the Middle West--the opportunity to do just that.…”