Political Quotes

“I wish to share a few thoughts about the legislation that I understand we will be voting on--at least voting on cloture--later this afternoon, and that is the DREAM Act. One of the major themes of the recent election was an idea revolving around an idea set forth in the Declaration of Independence--the idea that is a bedrock principle of our country--and that is the government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed. Many Americans have believed for some time now that Washington has become disconnected from the people it serves. Indeed, a recent poll found that only one in five Americans believes the government is operating with the consent of the governed. Now, on the heels of a historic midterm election, the Democratic leadership in this lameduck session is, I believe, further eroding those bonds of trust by refusing to listen and moving an amnesty bill that violates a clear American view that border security should be first. The American people are correct in that. It is not negative, mean-spirited. The American people understand, and I think Congress is coming to understand also, that ending the lawlessness at our borders is the first thing that must be done, and at some point after that we can then wrestle with what to do about people here illegally or else we are surrendering to lawlessness.”