Political Quotes

“Madam President, if I may conclude, I thank the Senator for indulging me in these questions and allowing me to ask them and for her energetic and principled leadership on this issue. Mrs. McCASKILL. Madam President, I thank my colleague from Rhode Island. There are so many things about the Senate I respect--the traditions, the service. Make no mistake about it, there are so many of my Republican colleagues who serve whom I admire and respect. They care deeply about their country. Sometimes we disagree on issues, but that does not diminish my respect for them as public servants and as people. We all get along better than people probably realize we do. But there are certain traditions around here, frankly, that are more like a bad habit. The tradition of comity is wonderful. The tradition of debate is wonderful. The tradition of collegiality is wonderful, the tradition of seniority and respecting people who have been here for a great deal of time. So much of it has been built up over the history of this Nation, and I am so proud to be a Member of this body in so many ways. But there are some bad habits that are traditions of which we should not be proud, and this is one of them. This is a tradition that needs to end. The secret hold is a bad habit. It is a luxury in which we should not indulge as members of a public body to serve the public on behalf of the people for whom we work. Our work should be open. The word ``secret'' does not have a place of honor in this democracy.…”