WASHINGTON DC (January 8, 2020) — Prepared floor remarks by Senator Charles "Chuck" Grassley on the House of Representatives legislative graveyard:
There is a story 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 historically accurate or not, it is a good summation of the role of the Senate.
In Federalist 62, Madison says, “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.”
It should be no surprise to anyone that the Senate passes fewer bills than the House and always has. But, how come those who parrot the partisan talking point that the Senate is a legislative graveyard don’t talk about the over 200 Senate bills on Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi’s desk?
