James M. Jeffords: “I cannot stand here representing 100 groups who support this amendment and taking into consideration the tremendous…”

“I cannot stand here representing 100 groups who support this amendment and taking into consideration the tremendous effort that Christopher Reeves has put into this personally to try and convince this body to do this reasonable thing, and not, unfortunately, from the Senator's perspective, ask for a recorded vote. I do not mean to embarrass the Members on this, but I just remind them that I was told I could come to the floor and offer it, and I am being precluded. But I understand that all got changed as we went along the way, and I do not hold any grudges against anybody. I understand you have to stand by that no amendment outside of the Finance Committee. I just would suggest to my colleagues that they are not bound by any such thing and would urge them to vote in favor of the amendment. Incidentally, I have now heard something which occurs when you get people nervous here, that there has been a rush to find a new cost from CBO, and apparently they are ready to rush over and claim I do not have enough money. Well, I am always ready for those circumstances, and we are rushing over with an amendment which will put a sufficient amount of money in it so I do not get into a budget problem.”