Ezra Stiles Quotes

Remember, the Congress doesn't get as many opportunities to make an impression with the public.

Senators will do what they think they need to do to represent their constituents.

You cannot make elected officials … do what they will not do.

You can't go to Washington as a congressman and a senator and expect to make a difference all at once. You have to earn your way.

As taxpayers, we pay our elected officials to serve the people and protect our state and our interests.

I like the House. The House is where you can effect the most change. It's such a fast-moving dynamic body compared to the Senate.

I enjoyed my stay in the Congress. Most people do not. And too many people who have been elected really don't understand the nature of government.

Representative government demands an ongoing conversation between legislators and constituents.

Everybody has a say, everybody has a voice, because everyone that comes to the House had about 750,000 people they're representing. And you want those voices heard.

It has been the greatest privilege of my adult and public life to have served, for 32 years, as the Member of Parliament for our local Highlands and Islands communities.

I figured there's nobody who's going to beat me or shoot me or crucify me. I can't help if people don't like me up there in Washington. I've got a district that I respect, and I think it respects me.

People have tremendous power, more than the average person understands, and certainly more than even I understood before I came to Congress. When any of my constituents writes me a letter, I promise you, we're listening.

If one of my colleagues wants to block a bill, they should stand up in front of the American people and explain why.

If we were left solely to the wordy wit of legislators in Congress for our guidance, uncorrected by the seasonal experience and the effectual complaints of the people, America would not long retain her rank among the nations.

We enjoy bashing Congress because they are us.

When it comes to listening to my constituents or to the governor's staff, who are more interested in their pet projects and their government cars, I'll vote for my constituents every time.

Burke said there were three estates in Parliament; but in the reporter's gallery yonder, there sat a fourth estate more important far than they all.

Congress is constantly engaged in a struggle for the respect of the people.

The people never have and never will be able to understand how the will of a majority of the House of Representatives can be set aside by the judgment of a few men on a powerful committee.

A voting record is your work product. It tells people where you stand on issues, and for better or worse it implies you're there doing what you're elected to do. It's the only litmus test available.

It is a duty of those entrusted with the administration of their affairs to conform themselves to the decided choice of their constituents.

The members of Congress are very, very good about sensing what people are upset about.

If elected, I shall consider the whole people of Sangamon my constituents, as well those that oppose as those that support me. While acting as their representative I shall be governed by their will on all subjects upon which I have the means of knowing what their will is.

Congress is the voice, the conscience, and the judgment of the American people

A law is simply a reflection of the momentary perception of self-interest by a majority of a legislative body.