‘Your Word Is Your Bond’

A Little Advice From Veteran Senators As Majority Leader Reid Now Weighs Whether To Break His Word On The Nuclear Option

Sen. Reid Promised To Oppose The Nuclear Option

SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): “I agree that the proper way to change Senate rules is through the procedures established in those rules, and I will oppose any effort in this Congress or the next to change the Senate's rules other than through the regular order” (Sen. Reid, Congressional Record, S.325, 1/27/11)

SEN. REID: ‘Resolutions related to Senate procedure would be subject to a regular order process’ Sen. McConnell: “Finally, I would confirm with the majority leader that the Senate would not consider other resolutions relating to any standing order or rules this Congress unless they went through the regular order process?” Sen. Reid: “That is correct. Any other resolutions related to Senate procedure would be subject to a regular order process including consideration by the Rules Committee.” (Sens. Reid & McConnell, Congressional Record, S.272-3, 1/24/13)

Senate Leaders: ‘Your Word Is Your Bond’

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: “As my colleagues know the most valuable commodity, the most valuable capital, anyone can have in the congress is their word.” (Vice President Biden, Remarks, 6/5/13)

MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID (D-NV): “Your word is your bond. If a Republican Senator or a Democratic Senator--it does not matter--if you tell them you are going to do something, that is the way it is.” (Sen. Reid, Congressional Record, S.10071, 7/26/07)

MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE (R-KS): ‘Your word is your bond.’ ‘“I have learned another thing that we have all learned in this Chamber and this town. Your word is your bond. If you do not keep your word around here, it does not make much difference what your amendment may be, or whatever it may be.” (Sen. Dole, Congressional Record, S.6043. 6/11/96)

Senior Democrats: ‘That Is A Very Big Thing In This Body’ ‘You Always Keep Your Word’

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D-CA): “That is a very big thing in this body, that if you give your word, keep your word…” (Sen. Feinstein, Congressional Record, S.11224, 10/11/04)

SEN. PAT LEAHY (D-VT): ‘Remember, in the Senate we keep our word.’ “I first met Mike Mansfield when I was Senator-elect. … I always called him Mr. Leader. But I remember one thing he said was: You are going to be here at least 6 years. You may be here a lot longer. But remember, in the Senate we keep our word. And if you commit to something, if you tell another Senator you are going to do something, then always keep your word, even if it turns out that politically it is not going to be helpful for you because it is the only way we can operate in this body. We do it on trust. … I do remember what Senator Mansfield said: Keep your word. You always keep your word.” (Sen. Leahy, Congressional Record, S.10429, 10/10/01)

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Tags: Your word, Harry Reid, Pat Leahy, Dianne Feinstein, Bob Dole, Joe Biden, The Nuclear Option To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!