Barbara Boxer: “if this Senate is going to operate and function, it has to follow its own rules. It is very obvious that including…”

“if this Senate is going to operate and function, it has to follow its own rules. It is very obvious that including drilling in a wildlife refuge in a military bill is not following our own rules. It is no wonder the people in the country are cynical. It is wrong to do this. Members should stand on line, do it the right way. If Members want a bill passed, do it the right way. This is not a Senate where one person can dictate how things get done. I hope the Senate would understand when you are discussing a wildlife refuge, which was first set aside by President Eisenhower, that we would do better than putting it into a military bill that is a must-pass piece of legislation. I am very pleased that Senator Stevens said if he does not get his way on this, and the Senate decides not to include it here, that we will be able to strip that provision and get those funds where they need to go, to our troops. I am very pleased about that. I hope the Senate will speak strongly in a bipartisan way and vote ``no'' on cloture. I yield the floor. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from New Mexico, Mr. Bingaman, is recognized for 3 minutes.”