Pete Domenici: “Mr. President, I wish I could have been on the floor when Senator Gramm spoke a little earlier, because I would have…”

“Mr. President, I wish I could have been on the floor when Senator Gramm spoke a little earlier, because I would have risen when he stated what we ought to try to do and what components we ought to try to agree upon to get a bill. I think he is right on. For those who were not listening, let me see if I can repeat. First of all, let me suggest, in the past--I have noticed that we get large groups of lobbyists in a room promoting causes in only two circumstances. One, when there is a giant tax bill or tax reform measure, the halls are lined with them. That prompted Senator Dole, once, to speak of the 'Gucci gultch.' The only other time I see a large group in a room joined together lobbying, sending notes, watching television, is when there is a huge amount of money to spend. I have not seen large groups for any other causes. Guess what. In this case, it is obvious. The proponents of the bill have nothing in mind for tax cuts. So this large group meeting, with just scores of people watching every speech on the Senate floor and then sending people out to all the offices to get things done is because this is a giant spending bill.”