Trent Lott: “if I could respond, Senator Daschle mentioned to me last week that there was a need to see the language. I passed the…”

“if I could respond, Senator Daschle mentioned to me last week that there was a need to see the language. I passed the word that certainly that should be made available. I am surprised. While I have not been directly involved in all the negotiations, I thought that everybody was familiar with all that was going on and that basically Senator Kennedy and others have the language, know the language, and if there is any outstanding language, they would know what that is. So for a week we have been saying, let's share the language, and let's move on. Maybe the problem is that the language is continuing to be modified. But how long does that go on? We talk about the regular order, the legislative process. The way you usually do it is you call up a bill, and a managers' amendment is offered, amendments are offered. I do not know if we can ever get every word agreed to. I assume there are going to be Senators on both sides of the aisle who are going to offer some amendments to make further changes. But my urging would be--on both sides of the aisle--let's give them the language. Somebody has some language somewhere. I am being assured Republicans are not hiding in the corner, holding back language that they won't share. If there is anything that Senator Kennedy is not aware of, I am not aware of it. I would urge that we get that language agreed to.”