Political Quotes

“we had quite a heated debate last week about two competing approaches. One would federalize our airline security workforce so the traveling public would know they were being protected by those who were answerable to Uncle Sam, who were law enforcement personnel, who were properly trained, who were adequately paid, and who were supervised. I would like to just share with the gentlewoman some thoughts that I saw in an editorial in USA Today on November 6. ``House Barters Away Strong Protections for Flyers.'' Want to know why at a time when tight airline security is needed, the House rejected a tough bipartisan bill and passed a weak version favored by the Republican leaders? First, stop looking at the House as a law-making body; think instead of a flea market. ``Last Thursday, the day of the vote, the House was one big bazaar. Lawmakers with swing votes were doing the selling. Their price: Last minute special interest amendments and political pay offs.'' That is the opinion of USA Today. After the Senate passed a bipartisan bill 100 to nothing, and as the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) stated, we cannot get more bipartisan than 100 to nothing; yet there were Members on the other side of the aisle that accused many of us in engaging in bipartisanship.…”