Pete Domenici: “Senator Byrd, let me suggest we are ready to acknowledge openly that the amendment went too far. The intention, I still…”

“Senator Byrd, let me suggest we are ready to acknowledge openly that the amendment went too far. The intention, I still feel very comfortable with, because I believe the Department truly in egregious ways violates the intent and spirit by moving money around, but I think Senator Byrd has made the case, and Senator McCain has made the case. Clearly it is not going to happen. I think the Senate knows that we are not going to be doing this, but I would like to make sure that what comes out of the Senate is kind of balanced, that the Department does not get the idea that they have all the latitude in the world and will never be called to task. I think this would better be served, overall, if we just proceed to adopt the amendment by voice vote.”