Political Quotes

“this is wrong. It is indefensible. And the only reason that it is being done is because the majority has the power to do it. There are a great many Members of the majority, I can see them right now, that know that the defense appropriations bill is not the vehicle with which we should be establishing profoundly important environmental policy. Whether or not to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is an issue that has been divisive and contentious, that is bound to delay this bill and that has nothing germane to do with this defense appropriations bill. It should not be here. And yet we are going to do it because the majority can get away with it at 2:00 a.m. in the morning. We have been debating this for decades, whether or not to allow our national wildlife refuges to be opened for drilling. Good people of good intention on both sides can make their arguments, but they should be made in the authorizing committee, not at 2:00 a.m. in the morning, not slipped into an appropriations bill when we are sitting in conference at the last minute just because the chairman can do it. He figures he can force Members to have to choose between supporting the troops and protecting the environment. That is a false choice. I do not believe that the policy is right.…”