Douglas Alexander: “I know how important the President believes this is. I have talked with him about it at least a half dozen times…”

“I know how important the President believes this is. I have talked with him about it at least a half dozen times personally, usually in bipartisan sessions with a number of Senators, sometimes individually. I know the Vice President has been deeply involved. When there is some more time on the floor this afternoon, if we have a lull in the debate, I will go through the Statement of Administration Policy and talk about it a little bit. Basically, it is very helpful to us. It points out that there is not much difference between the amount of money the President proposes to spend over the next 4 years and the amount we would propose to authorize to spend in this bill. As one might expect, the President likes his new programs but doesn't like some other new programs, and there are some other suggestions that are well taken that we can talk about, perhaps accept amendments, at least discuss with the Democratic majority those amendments, and there will be some amendments that are offered on the Senate floor. I will reserve my comments on the President's Statement of Administration Policy. It is good to have it. We will make it part of the debate--and taking the President at his word--given the President's statement and the administration policy statement that 'The administration looks forward to working with Congress to address these various policy concerns as the legislative process moves forward.'”