Barbara Boxer: “I am a little confused. I am really confused. Senator Conrad, who brought this issue to the Senate's attention, solves…”

“I am a little confused. I am really confused. Senator Conrad, who brought this issue to the Senate's attention, solves the problem by asking unanimous consent to take this offensive language out of the bill, this 'Big Brother is watching you and your tax returns' out of the bill, and the passion showed by Senator Stevens in his previous remarks, I was really taken in by them. I felt that he was really upset and that he wanted to resolve this matter. Yet we have an objection to take this out. If the House went home, bring the House back. They shouldn't have gone home with this terrible provision pending. I don't quite understand what just happened. I guess there will be an explanation, but let the record be clear there was objection from the Republican side to take out this offensive language which gives permission for the chairman of the Senate and House Appropriations Committee to designate staff to look at any American's tax return, any business tax return they decide they want to spy on. There was a unanimous consent request to delete that by Senator Conrad, and there was an objection. I am confused. We could have resolved that, and it could have been taken care of, but instead we have an objection. I am sure there is a good reason. Maybe Senator Stevens will explain it, but deleting the language resolves it on our side, and we can get on with the bill. I have a problem with the health issue in this bill that is going to adversely affect women of America.”