Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I thank my senior colleague from Oregon for his leadership in this debate on these important tax provisions. There is so much at stake here for the future of our society as we have been debating what we see as one provision after another that is designed to make the richest Americans richer while increasing the taxes on some 87 million middle-class Americans. Then, we get this nice, little list. Republicans have given the lobbyists a list of 30 special interest provisions, circulated it, and said: This is what we are going to put in our managers' amendment for all of you. My colleague from South Carolina was speaking a moment ago about one that hasn't even been filed--life insurance provisions. What is that? Maybe my colleague would like to come to the floor and explain it and explain why this is being circulated to lobbyists, to the swamp, instead of to the Members of the U.S. Senate. Thirty of these provisions--who knows what all is in this. Isn't there any form of transparency or integrity left in this Chamber in terms of legislative debate? Have the American people had a chance to see this list? It is online now. The few who might be listening in might be able to see these titles, but this is not the way to do business in the U.S. Senate. This is not the way to do the people's business. This is the way to do the swamp's business. What happened to clearing the swamp? What happened to that?…”