Political Quotes

“today Democrats are lining up for reform. We have had enough. We have had enough Republican leadership excuses. We have had enough delay. We want meaningful campaign finance reform. We are here lined up to sign a discharge petition to discharge all of the proposals, by both Republicans and Democrats, for a full and fair debate on the floor of this House. Last year the Republicans delayed as long as they could until this discharge petition was approved. They finally had to bring the bill to the floor, and then they tried to filibuster it to death with amendments. When that filibuster failed, every single member of the Republican leadership, including the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) voted no against bipartisan reform sponsored by Republicans and Democrats, and backed by most every good government organization in this country. With that background, it is very troubling to hear now the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) announce in the first month of his speakership that he would put this vital issue on the back burner. We need an end to obstructionism and some real bipartisan reform.”