Trent Lott: “Regardless of the merits of the railroad retirement bill, I had hoped that the Senate would stay focused on…”

“Regardless of the merits of the railroad retirement bill, I had hoped that the Senate would stay focused on appropriations conference reports, the defense appropriations bill, and the stimulus package that would create economic growth and jobs creation in this country. I am pleased that now an effort is under way to get a conference negotiation going on the stimulus package. That movement yesterday afternoon affected the decision that was made earlier today not to fight the motion to proceed on the railroad retirement bill. My question is, why we are moving to bills that are not an emergency, not related to appropriations and the stimulus package or even the reinsurance issue?”