Jim Inhofe: “I have been most interested in what I think is our first major success in both Chambers. And certainly it is due to the…”

“I have been most interested in what I think is our first major success in both Chambers. And certainly it is due to the perseverance of the Senator from Idaho that we are where we are today. I think it is so significant because this symbolizes what I think is one of the products of the revolution that took place on November 8. I have often joked around with many Members of both bodies in Washington. I said, ``If you want to know what a real tough job it is to become a mayor in a major city, there is no hiding place there. If they do not like you, they trash you and they throw it in your front yard.'' Of all the problems--and even though there are people serving in this body, distinguished Senators, who have had distinguished careers, including being mayor of major cities such as the Senator from California, Mrs. Feinstein, and many of us may disagree philosophically on certain subjects, but if you were to ask any city official, any mayor, any city commissioner, city council member in America what the most serious problem is, they will not say, as you might expect, the crime problem or the welfare problem or other problems like that. They would say it is unfunded mandates.”