Political Quotes

“I want to take the opportunity to say a word or two while our colleagues from Alaska and Maine are here. These two colleagues, representing the far northwest and far northeast of the United States, have brought so much wisdom and so much determination to this topic of treating all citizens with respect, providing all citizens with a full measure of liberty to be deeply engaged in every aspect of American life. That certainly includes the workplace, and that topic, discrimination in the workplace, is before us today. Senator Collins was the chief Republican sponsor for the first 2 years I was in the Senate. She passed on the baton to Senator Kirk but did not stop championing this bill, and late last night was working and has been holding meetings for the many days and weeks that have led up to this moment--and over the years that have led us to this moment. I say thank you very much to the senior Senator from Maine for her engagement and advocacy of fairness for all Americans. My colleague from Alaska, it was a pleasure to exchange voice mails as we prepared for the Monday night, knowing that she would not be able to be here for that vote but was sending good wishes. We were uncertain whether we would have 60 votes that night or whether we would have the floor open until midnight or whether we would be voting the next day in order to have her support be the support that put us over the top.…”