THOMAS S. FOLEY

For one branch of government to control each of the other two is not a good thing.

Inside the institution (Congress) there's a sense of puzzlement that incumbents have a lock.... The members feel they are targeted of a conspiracy, using slick ad techniques and misinformation, to remove them from office, no matter how hard they have worked.

We'll vote when we have the votes.

If the Congress fails then American democracy is dysfunctional.

History does not disclose to us its alternatives.

We don’t have a problem of leadership. We have a problem of followership.

It has a natural appeal, but I don't believe that even in 2020 there will be term limitations on Congress.

I want us to war over principles, policies, programs and alternative visions of the future ... but I want us to be able to do that without turning the place [the House of Representatives] into a political Beirut.

The speakership isn't a dictatorship.

The easiest things to do in Congress are to cut taxes and raise spending.

For one branch of government to control each of the other two is not a good thing.

If the Congress fails then American democracy is dysfunctional.

Inside the institution (Congress) there's a sense of puzzlement that incumbents have a lock.... The members feel they are targeted of a conspiracy, using slick ad techniques and misinformation, to remove them from office, no matter how hard they have worked.

Every member has his own way of sorting out the conflict between personal judgment and constituent opinion.

History does not disclose to us its alternatives.

I want us to war over principles, policies, programs and alternative visions of the future ... but I want us to be able to do that without turning the place [the House of Representatives] into a political Beirut.

If you don't drink, smoke or drive a car, you're a tax evader.

It's not class warfare to talk about fairness.

No one can be responsible for every congressman or every member of his own party.

One person's pork barrel project is another person's wise investment in the local infrastructure.

Sometime between elections we should concentrate on doing something.

The easiest things to do in Congress are to cut taxes and raise spending.

The legislative agenda reflects the complication of society.

The power of recognition gives you the power to set the agenda.

The speakership isn't a dictatorship.

There are limits to what reorganization and reform can do.

We don’t have a problem of leadership. We have a problem of followership.

We'll vote when we have the votes.

It has a natural appeal, but I don't believe that even in 2020 there will be term limitations on Congress.