Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 6, Title II--Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. Title II establishes a bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress to investigate, study, make findings, hold public hearings, and develop recommendations to modernize and improve the way Congress operates. This institution has a responsibility to the people--to our constituents--and to this country to build a Congress that works for everyone, not just those at the top. This is not something that will happen on its own. It is going to take hard work, but it is worthwhile work. This is not the first time Congress, as an institution, has wrestled with how to be more effective and efficient. Three times in the 20th century--in 1945, in 1965, and again in 1992 when Ms. Lofgren and I came to Congress--we established joint committees to examine various aspects of the legislative process in an effort to improve efficiency and promote transparency. Madam Speaker, today we are at a similar crossroads. Last Congress, we witnessed the Republicans lead the most closed Congress in the history of our country. Republicans blocked everything from immigration reform and infrastructure to gun safety and lowering prescription drug costs. Last November, many of the American people demanded a new direction.…”