Political Quotes

“I believe the Secretary of the Interior and the White House were representatives of the Federal Government back in 1946, just as they are today. Second, my colleague from Wyoming stated: I worry about the claim that we are helping all coal miners with this proposal. West Virginia coal miners--union and nonunion--continue to suffer from the devastating effects of the ongoing coal bankruptcies. Senator, we are willing to help all miners. We truly are. Anybody who has been devastated in this downturn, if you will, of the industry, but we are focusing this particular effort on the United Mine Workers of America. They try to make this: Well, you are picking union over nonunion. We are not picking union over nonunion. The agreement was made with the UMWA because everybody working in the mines during that period of time belonged to the UMWA. So we have to protect that promise that was made in that Executive order that was signed and made 70 years ago. So I invite the Presiding Officer and all of my colleagues to help us find a way to move forward and help put this to rest. Also, Senator Enzi stated he wants America to remain financially solvent. Well, there is no one who wants that more than I do. I understand that if you can't get your financial house in order you can't do anything else. In fact, let me tell you what happens if we do not pass the Miners Protection Act.…”