"As the House of Commons is the central object of examination in every study of the English Constitution, so should Congress be in every study of our own. Any one who is unfamiliar with what Congress actually does and how it does it, with all its duties and all its occupations, with all its devices of management and resources of power, is very far from a knowledge of the constitutional system under which we live; and to every one who knows these things that knowledge is very near."
- Future President Woodrow Wilson, 1885⁴

"If I studied all my life, I couldn't think up half the number of funny things passed in one session of Congress."
- Will Rogers, American humorist⁵

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself."
- Mark Twain, American author⁶

"If you're hanging around with nothing to do and the zoo is closed, come over to the Senate. You'll get the same kind of feeling and you won't have to pay."
- Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, 1990⁷

"What's the difference between a whore and a congressman? A congressman makes more money."
- Edward Abbey, American author, 1991⁸