Political Quotes

“I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Chairman, this is an interesting debate just simply on this amendment because I would point out to my colleagues that there has been a lot of reference on the floor today about the Senate's doing something or not doing something. I would just remind my colleagues that their Senators, both of whom are Democrats, support drilling off the Virginia coast. I've found out, too, that their candidate for Governor has switched his position now and that he, too, supports drilling off the coast of Virginia. So I can say here today, I think very honestly, that there is bipartisan support for drilling off the coast of Virginia. Finally, I want to address the point that my good friend from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) made about no safety. I will just refer him to title IV in this legislation. If his concern is on not having safety and updating rules because of oil spills, then he should support this legislation, because title IV does that through the reorganization process. So, Mr. Chairman, it hurts me to say vote ``no'' on a Hastings amendment, but I will in this case for the arguments that I made a moment ago. We simply don't need it because of all of the environmental reviews you have to go through on lease sales. With that, I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings). The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.”