Sam Brownback Quotes

I think there's a lot to learn from Rockefeller on how to pass legislation.

Presidents are evaluated not by what they did by the stroke of their own pen; it's what they persuade Congress to do.

Getting one bill passed is close to impossible. Ask any kid who has spent a summer in Washington, or better yet a semester, and can't understand how people tolerate its menu of constant frustration. Imagine mastering it.

One of the things I give Nancy Pelosi a lot of credit for is that she's able to get things passed and hold her members together because she shows us that she's doing everything possible to get our views into these bills.

No particular prior experience—not business or academia, or think tanks, or law—suggests that an individual will master the bureaucratic politics of Washington DC.

Gingrich, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, and Clinton passed legislation because they understood and appreciated the difficult political process. They fought for their principles yet recognized the need for compromise to get anything done.

House Speaker John Boehner and presumed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell understand the art of politics.

I came to Washington understanding what the Senate is capable of accomplishing and knowing that I'd have myriad opportunities as a senator to get things done.

I really focus on making sure that we pass good policy. I don't mind throwing my elbows around to get it done.

Despite his critics, Rubio has skillfully managed the expectations of many conservatives and effectively made his case for immigration reform, while working with other members to continuously improve the legislation.

There are no techniques in politics.

People may have their opinions about Senator Helms, but he was highly effective and he took care of his constituency. I learned all those lessons from him, and I bring a great deal to the table because of that.

If Mr. Obama wants to get things done, he must recognize that in Washington only the president has the power to make the first big move.

There are times in Annapolis when a governor's support can move an issue over the goal line.

The only way to improve the GOP brand and make good public policy is to fix the process. This requires transforming the way Congress does business.

Your first six months in the Senate, you spend a lot of time wondering how the hell you got here. After that, you look around at your colleagues and wonder how the hell any of them got here.

When you are President you have to get something done, and that often means compromise.

You cannot rely on House or Senate staff to pass a piece of legislation for you, but if you have antagonized staff, they can block you.

Nearly all legislation is the result of compromise.

The last thing you want is to have to make a decision for political purposes.

The only way to get anywhere in Congress is to stay there and let seniority take its course.

Lyndon Johnson was perhaps the greatest political arm twister in the country’s history.

There is something wrong with the way in which we make our decisions. The Government listen too much to the pollsters and the party managers. The trouble is that they are not even very good at politics, and they are entering too much into policy decisions. As a result, there is too much short-termism, too much reacting to events, and not enough shaping of events. We give the impression of being in office but not in power. Far too many important decisions are made for 36 hours' publicity.

There are two kinds of horses; there are show horses, and there are work horses, and you've got to decide in the United States Senate whether you want to be a show horse or a work horse.

If you're not comfortable with delay, frustration and impatience, get out of the Senate. It's the nature of the institution, but I think we've taken it to an art form.