Political Quotes

“on the Defense authorization, I have talked to both the chairman and ranking member, as I am sure the Democratic leader has, and have asked them to do their very best to address how we can best bring that bill to the floor and have reasonable time for debate and amendment where we don't have to be starting and stopping and starting and stopping like we had to do over the last several years. Both of them are working very hard in that regard. It is a high priority. I agree with the Democratic leader. We want to address it as soon as possible. The supplemental bill is in committee now. I have met with leadership involved in that bill, in terms of the managers on Thursday night and with the House as well. I was advised to let them work hard and aggressively over these last what has now been 3 or 4 days, and I will get a report back later today. I, too, have been both advised and called by a number of people, both from the Department of Defense, our military, and it is clear that this money is needed. We need to work together to accomplish that this week. That is my intention. After I talk to our conferees later today, I can get back in terms of whether that is going to be possible, but we are working very hard. Mr. President, I see the Senator from Iowa. I want to make a statement. If the Senator from Iowa would allow me to suggest the absence of a quorum so I can speak to the leader, and I will be back and talk, it shouldn't be too long.…”