Political Quotes

“it is a good thing that Democrats for the first time in 4 years passed a budget--at least brought one to the floor and passed it on a strictly partisan basis. Before that, they not only didn't pass one, they didn't bring one to the floor for 4 years and refused to do so, even though a specific provision of the United States Code actually required them to do so. It was a stunning development. Senator Conrad, then the Democratic chair of the Budget Committee, wanted to bring up budgets, fought to bring up budgets, and one time said he was going to bring up a budget. But Senator Durbin and others in the leadership apparently had a vote, and they voted against him. Senator Murray, to her credit, has gotten a budget through. The Presiding Officer is a member of that committee, and they got a budget through this year, which was a good thing. I am not sure, but I suspect Senator Murray was one of those who blocked Senator Conrad from even bringing up a budget for 4 years. So I think it is a bit aggressive to say Republicans are blocking a budget when the history is they haven't even voted on one. Secondly, there are Members on this side of the aisle who simply say the legislation necessary to raise the debt ceiling again should be passed--like legislation should be passed--on the floor of the Senate, and it would require a 60-vote point of order where you have to have 60 votes to pass.…”