the Senator from New Mexico is telling me it has become a common practice on the floor of the Senate for an individual Senator who wants to oppose something to not have the courage to stand here and tell the world their position but instead to secretly object to a particular issue being raised. I cannot imagine the American public can believe that Senators do not have the courage of their convictions to come here and say: I am going to hold up this legislation because I disagree with it, and I am going to fight it any way I can. So the public can weigh in if they agree with them or not. They will be accountable to the U.S. citizens.
Editor's note · Context
Merkley criticizes Senators for not openly expressing their opposition to legislation.
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