Political Quotes

“as the Senator knows, Senator Shelby and I have been working very hard on the appropriations bills. I commend his staff and my staff for all the work they have done. It is not just the bill's first page and the number at the end that counts. There is a whole lot that goes in in between. There are a number of policy considerations that are in there. There are things that Senators from both parties want that make a great deal of sense and both parties are for it, and we are putting those together. I would hope, having done all that, it means that within the next day or so we can get at least four of these appropriations bills passed. I remind everybody that the last time Senator Shelby and I went through this exercise, we passed most of the bills, if not unanimously, virtually unanimously. I think it helps the Senate. It shows that we are doing our work and that we can set aside partisan differences and do what is best for the country. The other body has been working very hard in the House of Representatives on their appropriations bills. Their Appropriations Committee is led by two of the finest members I have served with: Nita Lowey, the chair from New York, and Kay Granger, the ranking member from Texas--one a Democrat and one a Republican--both of whom believe in the Congress and have our support, and they worked hard. I say that just because I have had so many Members ask me how it is going.…”