Trent Lott: “I made the choice to leave the House and come to the Senate. I was on the Rules Committee. I could have stayed there. I…”

“I made the choice to leave the House and come to the Senate. I was on the Rules Committee. I could have stayed there. I could have been on the Rules Committee, but I chose to leave. I do not think we have any-- I do not remember the term that was used earlier--God-given rights in this institution. We all have certain rights, and I am going to work to protect those rights. When I believed Senator Schumer was not being treated properly, I spoke up. Last year, in a very critical moment when Senator Byrd was not being treated properly, I said: No, that is not right. I am getting really tired of people questioning my commitment to the Senate and to the opportunity for debates and that I am trying to be a rules committee of one. I tell you, what I am trying to do is find a way for the Senate to do its work. These charges that are leveled against me are nonsense. One of the things I have done since I have been in the Senate and have been majority leader is I have studied the history of this institution.”