Political Quotes

“first, let me once again commend the chairman for working collaboratively and cooperatively to include in this legislation over 100 amendments that have improved a very good piece of legislation. It also represents the input of the vast majority of our colleagues in the Senate. But I think, too, that we should have opportunities to debate and vote, which was typical in previous considerations of the National Defense Authorization Act. We are still considering the possibility of such votes, and I hope we can reach an appropriate conclusion to have votes and debates. But to this point, again, let me thank the chairman for his leadership and take his wise advice to think seriously about how we proceed forward with this legislation. Mr. President, I yield back. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona. Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I thank my friend from Rhode Island, and I thank him for the relationship we have developed over the years. Here is the deal: We have basically four amendments--which are important amendments, and I don't mean in any way to denigrate their importance--that are forcing us to go to a mode where there will be no other amendments voted on. By failing to reach an agreement, we are shutting out our colleagues on both sides of the aisle and preventing them from having their amendments considered. That is why cloture is not a good thing.…”