Political Quotes

“I thank my good friend, the Senator from Oregon. I want to put this in perspective. I don't think there is a person more bipartisan than I am. I don't think there is a person who has signed more bills in a bipartisan way with my Republican friends than I have--who has voted on more Republican bills or more Republican amendments than I have as a Democrat. I am really so frustrated. I thought that we could make this place work. That was my purpose in being here. I truly have done everything I possibly could. I reached out. The White House was kind enough to reach out to me. I sat down and I talked to all of the people who are in charge of writing this legislation from the White House. I sat down with my colleagues. I gave them some suggestions and ideas. We brought people together, thinking we could find a bipartisan way. I will tell you, as I see it unfold tonight, this has been designed not to have even me, as one Democrat, on the bill, and I want to be. I want to be part of a reform for the first time in 30 years. I look back at Ronald Reagan. He was a hero to all of us. He had 97 votes; 97 Senators voted for the legislation that he crafted. There were adjustments--a give-and-take. But every time, I would think, well, if I have some ideas, shouldn't you at least listen to me; listen to what we think? Two days ago, we did a press conference. I invited all of my colleagues.…”