Tom Harkin Quotes

Congressman are spending too much time raising money.

Members of Congress are never in town any more. They’re so busy raising money that they leave Thursday night and don’t return till Monday night. Tuesday through Thursday are now long days, so there is no time anymore for bipartisan socialization.

Barack Obama has raised tons of money. That is what he means by being green.

The congressmen and senators used to go have a drink in D.C. They would disagree all day long, but they would find that time to sit down and learn about each other personally. I think that's totally wiped out; I don't think it really exists anymore.

I cannot and will not raise money on Benghazi. I also advise my colleagues to follow suit.

We have to get rid of the constant fundraising that happens inside the Congress. Before, political parties used to raise money; now, individual members are raising money through the DCCC and the RCCC. It is absolutely corrupt.

You now have six-year campaigns for the Senate - you never stop running. It's not uncommon for a member of the Senate to have a fundraising breakfast, a fundraising lunch and a fundraising dinner, and then when the Senate breaks for the week to go home, more fundraisers. And that's driven by the cost of campaigning.

My policy is I will help any policymaker who asks, whether they be a Republican or a Democrat.

Government or politics in America today is big business. Everybody makes money involving themselves in one way or the other, whether it's pollsters, whether they are policy wonks, whether they are pundits, whether they are those who believe that they must call it as they see it and then to be fair about it.

Eventually, money wins in politics.

A congressman serves a two year term. As soon as he gets elected, he has to start attending fund raisers.

The arms race for money being what it is, fundraising starts shortly after someone is elected to Congress.

So long as politicians need millions to win a seat in Congress and nearly a billion to contest the White House, they will sanctify the methods needed to raise such sums.

In order to survive politically, you've got to have a big-buck fundraiser at least one a year.

In running for Congress, you have to raise over $2 million. You are going to end up shaking hands with people with whom you would rather not shake hands. 95 percent of all the candidates with the most money, win.

[On campaign fund-raising:] You're just sort of shamelessly begging. That's what federal politics is about.

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

A typical member of Congress devotes several hours a day to asking for contributions and several more to worrying about how her donors will feel about her votes on the floor.

Pence is a fan of fundraising and does enjoy doing it.

Last month Mitt Romney raised $76 million. He found it in an old sport-coat pocket.

It's incumbent upon all members of Congress to support legislation that keeps us safe at home and abroad.

I will continue to ask the president and his subordinates to work with Congress rather than against it.

Congress is a place that lacks any debate of ideas.

My focus has been on being a good congressman, and there is so much other work to do.

It's a tough job being a politician.