Political Quotes

“Another interesting dynamic, if my colleague would yield, please, is that many of the new Members feel that the seniority system in this institution that had grown out of touch over a period of time needed some reform, that the seniority system did not serve us too well, because whoever was around the longest got to be in charge, and some things just inherently were not fair. They did not reward hard work and effectiveness, they really rewarded the seniority of Members. I think in the passion of the day, even some of my freshmen colleagues failed to recognize that while the seniority system is moving aside, I think after the last election, half this body about had been here less than 3 years, and after the next election, based on the turnover we anticipate, it may be two-thirds of this body will be here less than 5 years. So the seniority system is being moved out. As the seniority system moves out, we have to recognize that the respect has got to stay. We cannot move it all out and replace it with some kind of bomb-throwing mentality, that we are going to storm this place and rock this place. This place is unreal. It is magnificent. It sends chills up and down your spine when you walk the hallowed Halls of the U.S. Congress. We got to leave it that big. It is that big, and it deserves that.”