Political Quotes

“I want to say one more thing to my colleagues on the other side. This is my 16th year in this body, and I know my colleagues are upset about this rule and about this process. I guess I have seen this before. It was my first term in Congress when Jim Wright was the Speaker, and to accomplish what the then majority wanted, he did something that only God could do. He declared it to be two separate days on one day to get a package through this body. Now, all of my colleagues who were here back then ought to remember that famous day, because we were outraged. Only God could declare a new day. But Speaker Wright supported, and my good friend is shaking his head yes, Speaker Wright actually declared it to be two days in one day so that we could accomplish the will of the majority. So I would say to my colleagues, this bill is important because of the need to support our troops and because of those priorities that we have for this country. Am I happy with everything in it? No. But I would ask my colleagues to get behind this. You have made your point. I hear you. I was just as frustrated back when Jim Wright declared it two days in one day as you are now that we are going to pass an increase in the debt ceiling without ever supposedly voting on it. So I would say to my colleagues, let us get beyond this and work together. Let us get this done.”