Political Quotes

“A matter of public record. Then yesterday I filed a second amendment with about 18 in the nature of a managers' amendment, and they were in the public record. I say to my good friends, the amendment I filed today, the third one, is nothing more than taking from each package only those amendments which have been at the desk, filed, and consolidating them in a third package. I say to my friend, I am in no way trying to be devious at all. Those amendments have been a matter of public record Monday, Tuesday, and today's amendment simply is a consolidation of all of those that have been at the desk in that period of time. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona is recognized. Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I know the Senator from Rhode Island is waiting, and I will be very brief. First, it is not a happy day for this body when we are in this kind of imbroglio where we are unable to accept as an amendment on an appropriations bill the authorization for the men and women who are fighting in our Nation's defense around the world. It seems to me the least we can do, however this is sorted out, is to have the distinguished leaders--Senators Stevens, Inouye, Levin, and Warner--sit down and see if there is a way to work this out. It may require the participation of the respective leaders. But we should not be in a situation where the best option is to attach an entire authorization bill as an amendment to an appropriations bill.…”