Chris Dodd: “let me say, first of all, for the benefit of my colleagues, I know our staffs, right now, are working to see if it is…”

“let me say, first of all, for the benefit of my colleagues, I know our staffs, right now, are working to see if it is possible to come to some compromise on the amendment that I proposed along with my colleague from Connecticut, Senator Lieberman. My hope is that we might be able to do that. I thank Senator Inouye and Senator Campbell and their staffs and my staff. They began to work last evening, talking about this matter. There was some discussion about possibly delaying this vote, but the leadership wanted to go forward with a vote this morning, and so we are going to try to work this out, if we can. That would be my fervent goal and desire. Let me state, again, why they are talking and working here. It was not my hope or desire to have to get involved in all of this, but each of us represents our respective State. And my State has been undergoing some additional pressures. There are some nine applications pending for designation for recognition. I have been--and still am--a strong supporter of the Native American community. I have a strong relationship with the two tribes in my State that have added tremendously to the economic well-being of my home State of Connecticut.”