Political Quotes

“I am so pleased to have a chance to be on the Senate floor today to speak on this conference report. This is the first forest management bill to pass both Houses in the U.S. Congress in 27 years. The fact is, the forestry legislation that is now on its way to the President of the United States will protect our communities. It will offer the first legal protection for old-growth trees, and it will create jobs. As the distinguished Senator from Idaho, Mr. Craig, just noted, this legislation came together because at every stage of the process Senators said we want to get beyond the old rhetoric. We want to get beyond the polarization that has dominated this issue in the past, and we want to, in particular, take meaningful action to protect our communities. That is what this legislation has been all about. The fires in the West... have literally be infernos. We just felt it was critical to take steps to ensure that the rural West wouldn't be sacrificed. I am proud today to rise in support of the conference report on H.R. 1904.”