Political Quotes

“I rise to speak on this sense-of-the- Senate resolution with mixed feelings. I would have much preferred to be speaking tonight in behalf of legislation that would have provided for the first time in the 100-year relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico for a congressionally sanctioned plebiscite giving to the people of Puerto Rico the sense of confidence from respect that their voice would be heard as to their desires for their political future. Our colleagues in the House of Representatives passed such a plebiscite bill. Unfortunately, after months of hearings, we will not have the opportunity to present from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to the full Senate such legislation. I commend Senator Murkowski who made a valiant effort to do so, including developing legislation which I think could have been the basis of a consensus on this matter and would have resulted in a favorable vote in the full Senate and the nucleus of a compromise with the House of Representatives. But the world goes on. The Governor of Puerto Rico has, with the concurrence of the Puerto Rican Congress, called for a referendum on the political future of Puerto Rico to be held on December 13. It is important that, as a minimal statement of our commitment to the principle of self-determination, we adopt this sense-of-the-Senate resolution and express our position in favor of that plebiscite and indicate that we will take its results with appropriate seriousness.…”