Political Quotes

“I rise to offer a few words about the colloquy that just was completed. I often find, when I am on the floor or presiding, that I feel sorry for the spectators in the Chamber. Either they are seeing the body not work as well as it should or sometimes they are watching a lot of silence, depending on when they are here. But I have been in the chair for the last hour. I think the spectators have been treated to what the Senate does when we do our best. First Senators Portman and Landrieu put a bill on the floor dealing with a commemoration in connection with the 70th anniversary of D-day, which is tomorrow. It was a bill they are seeking unanimous consent for. It was a very worthy one. But, second, I know many of us, all of us in the Chamber, have been very discouraged about the recent revelations and challenges within the VA. Many of us feared earlier this week that what we would get in this discussion were competing proposals or bills that would be partisan, where each side would fall short of doing what they wanted, and the veterans would not receive the kind of relief they should get. What we have seen, with Senator Sanders and Senator McCain putting this bill on the floor just now, is exactly how this should work for the veterans, but in the legislative process more generally. So I am pleased to congratulate my colleagues for taking two different approaches to this veterans challenge and working it out so a bipartisan bill can be offered.…”