Lisa Murkowski: “If I may, before the majority leader leaves, tell him that I very much appreciate that we have had this dialog because I…”

“If I may, before the majority leader leaves, tell him that I very much appreciate that we have had this dialog because I think it truly represents a departure from the committee norm that I certainly have learned to expect around here. And the fact that the majority leader has seen fit to identify that the Republicans have done it, therefore, it is all right--or the implication of that--I think is not necessarily applicable to good legislation or a process. I again would demur, because having been on the Energy Committee for a little over 21 years, somewhere between 21 and 22--I have never, never had a situation where the majority leader has taken, if you will, an action, either direct or through the chairman, which would absolve the committee from its function. The fact is, we have not had--and I think the majority leader can ask any member of the committee, at least in the minority, as to whether or not we have had any significant input in this legislation. We have not. We have hot had any markups or any opportunity for any amendments.”