Al D'Amato Quotes

Legislation is the art of compromise.

All legislation is founded upon the principle of mutual concession.

It's harder to pass a law than stop one.

I think Clinton, after getting into office and into Washington, was shocked at being bludgeoned. So he spent time trying to be all things to all people - one way guaranteed not to be successful or respected in a lion's den. You can't just play around with all those big cats - you've got to take somebody on.

I learned some valuable lessons about the legislative process, the importance of bipartisan cooperation and the wisdom of taking small steps to get a big job done.

The way you get anything done in the Congress is through coalitions.

Nearly all legislation is the result of compromise.

You can't write laws in America if you don't compromise.

I hate to tell you, but it's not always pretty up there on Capitol Hill

Consensus is the essence of the legislative process.

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.

I know how to take good ideas and turn them into sensible law at great odds.

They say politics is a contact sport, and I have to agree with that.

I sure tried to help deliver compromise, consensus, bipartisanship.

The reality is that when three or four networks are at the table with three or four political parties, someone is going to be the victim.

I'm going to work with Republicans when they do things I agree with and I'm going to fight Republicans when they're doing things that I think are damaging.

…the Senate, a small body of egos…

Bipartisanship is “the oil of national government.”

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

All legislation of any consequence is a compromise. You have to recognize that.

The art of government is the art of negotiating and compromise.

[Addressing Congress:] The people await action. They did not send us here to bicker ... Let us negotiate soon—and hard. But in the end, let us produce.

You can't have your own way in Congress.

The secret to legislative success in Virginia is courtesy, patience, and persistence; you usually get what you want. You won’t get it if you scream about it, and you won’t get it if you’re not willing to wait a long time.

If we want to influence the discussion in Congress, we can't oppose everything.