Political Quotes

“I appreciate the interest my colleague from Louisiana has on this very important issue. I agree with him that we want to expand VA health care, that we have run into a bureaucratic morass, and there are 27 facilities in 18 States that can and should be approved. If the Senator from Louisiana is prepared to join with me, we can pass his concern today or within the next couple of weeks, along with many other provisions the veterans community is deeply concerned about. During the last government shutdown, it is not widely known but the truth is that we were 7 to 10 days away from a situation where veterans--disabled veterans, veterans who have pensions--were not going to get their benefits. The comprehensive bipartisan legislation that received 56 votes here on the floor--unfortunately, not the vote from my colleague from Louisiana but 56 votes, and we are working to get the 60 votes we need to overcome a Republican point of order, and we are going to get those 60 votes--makes sure we do have advanced appropriations so no disabled veteran will not get a check in the event of another government shutdown. My colleague from Louisiana may or may not think that is an important issue. I don't know. I think it is an important issue.…”