Quotes from Congressman Rich Neal

"You (members of Congress) are not here to simply carry out the will of the public. You are also not here to substitute your judgement for theirs. What you are here to do is take a measured view and to reject emotionalism...You try to balance what the public wants with the notion that you stand in for them."

"I have a near reverence for the words of the founders wrote...In our constitutional system, the president does not serve above the Congress. He serves with the Congress."

"I object strongly to the notion that we should have term limits. Now we are watching all those people in the House that voted for term limits not leaving. Their excuse is 'well the law did not pass, why would I have to leave?' If you really believe in term limits, you should get up and go."

"As a former Mayor of a good size city (Springfield, Ma) I watched what crack was doing in poor neighborhoods. Crack was menacing neighborhoods, but the epidemic is slowing and one reason is because so many people are in jail. Why should these guys and women be able to terrorize people that want to live quiet lives? That is why I voted to reject the sentencing commission guidelines regarding crack and powder cocaine."

"I think Al Gore got elected last time. I'm convinced Al Gore won that election. I think Al Gore should get a 2nd chance in 2004."

"Well I have to go vote. We are repealing taxes left and right around here...but I'm trying to stop them!"