Political Quotes

“Senator Inhofe is right. He and I have known each other for years and, I think, respect each other. We have very, very different philosophical leanings, but that does not mean we cannot respect each other. All I would say to my friend from Oklahoma is that the function of the Senate is for 100 Members to determine what is important, not just a few. What may not be important to me may be important to you, and what may be important to you may not be important to me. Yet I think, especially on a bill of this significance, the Members--Democrats and Republicans--have a right to come forward and bring forth amendments. If I don't like an amendment and you have brought forth the amendment, it is likely I am going to vote against it, and you are going to vote against my amendment. I get it. It is called democracy. It is the process we go through here. I just cannot understand why we are not voting on amendments. When we get back, I would rather see a process take place whereby dozens of amendments are brought up and debated and voted up or voted down. That is what, I think, this Senate is supposed to stand for.”