Political Quotes

“I have discussed with Majority Leader Lott the procedures he proposed today with regard to the seating of Senator Landrieu and the review of Mr. Jenkins' petition contesting the election of Senator Landrieu. I agree with and fully support the actions taken by the majority leader. I would like to take a moment to explain the actions the Rules Committee has taken thus far concerning this contest and those procedures which we anticipate following in the future. The Senate is the Constitutional judge of the qualifications of each Senator. Article I, section 5 of the U.S. Constitution, states that the Senate is the ``Judge of the Elections, Returns, and Qualifications of its own Members. . . .'' The Secretary of State of Louisiana has certified that Mary Landrieu defeated Louis ``Woody'' Jenkins by 5,788 votes in the 1996 U.S. Senate race, and this morning Senator Landrieu was sworn in ``without prejudice.'' This action is in accordance with the precedents of the Senate, which recognize that the Senate generally defers to the certification of the State until the Senate has had the opportunity to review such petitions and evidence as may be submitted by the contestants or gathered by the committee.”