[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S63]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             FEDERALIST 62

  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?
  I yield the floor.

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