Political Quotes

“we are in a unique situation, as you just heard explained quite well. This is a bill I very much want. It is a nonpartisan bill about which this body has spoken very loudly. I appreciate the leadership of my colleague from Nevada on this bill. We are very proud of the product we have produced. My whole intention of coming to the floor, which is the normal process, to appoint conferees, Republican and Democratic conferees, is to continue in an orderly fashion and bring the bill to completion so it is law, not just a bill. We passed it February 12. The House passed it on April 2. We passed two extensions of the previous highway bill already and the deadline for the next temporary extension will be next Friday. We will have to do it once again. I am working very hard so we can have a conference committee, and we can't have a conference committee until we have conferees. It is time to act on the highway bill. As the distinguished assistant Democratic leader said, over a million, and I would say 2 million, new jobs will be created by this bill. It is vital to our economy. It is vital to the Nation's infrastructure. Regular order would be for us to appoint conferees. We will continue to work, having heard the objection, in regular order which, in my mind, would accelerate passage of the bill. We will continue to work with the other side, although I am disappointed we cannot proceed with this regular order. But I am committed to the bill.”