Political Quotes

“I thought perhaps I could contribute something meaningful to our consideration by trying to explain some of the procedure that we have run into and the rationale behind the process. As the Senator from Nevada indicated, last Friday we were able to supply the amendment which was acknowledged by the minority. In my numerous conversations with the minority and the ranking member of the committee, it became necessary to consider making changes. We have been in constant consultation with the ranking member and professional staff to try to see if we could reach an accommodation on the suggested changes that have been primarily communicated to us by the Senator from New Mexico. It was not the intention to do an end run, by any means, on my good friends from Nevada. But it was an effort to try to advance, if you will, the continuing negotiations. That situation has been changing. In my opinion, the goalposts have been moved a little bit, but I am not going to argue the merits of that. We have been talking about various aspects. I think it is a fair characterization by my friend from Nevada to say that if you do not know who you are fighting, it is pretty hard to know what the rules are--or words to that effect. We have to file the amendments prior to 6 o'clock. There obviously is going to be one more chapter and verse to this.”