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Federalist 62

Floor Speech

Date: Jan. 8, 2020
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Arts, Entertainment, and History Legislative Branch

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Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, there is a story that we often hear about in high school and government classes where George Washington is said to have told Jefferson that the Senate was created to ``cool'' House legislation as a saucer is used to cool hot tea.

Whether that is historically accurate or not, it is a good summation of the role of the U.S. Senate. Now I am going to quote from Federalist 62 what Madison said. He could have made this quote a little easier to understand, but here it is anyway: ``The necessity of a senate is not less indicated by the propensity of all single and numerous assemblies to yield to the impulse of sudden and violent passions, and to be seduced by factious leaders into intemperate and pernicious resolutions.''

That is the end of Madison's quote, Federalist 62.

Now, considering Madison's admonition, it should be no surprise to anyone whatsoever that the Senate passes fewer bills than the House and always has. But how come those who parrot the partisan talking points that the Senate is a legislative graveyard don't also talk about the over 200 Senate bills on Speaker Pelosi's desk?

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