On the recordFebruary 2, 2012
I thank the majority leader. I thank Senator Collins, Senator Brown of Massachusetts, Senator Gillibrand, and a lot of others, who have worked to get us to this point where we can do two things. Most important to those of us who have worked on the STOCK Act is that we are now in a position this afternoon of adopting a clear statement that Members of Congress and our staffs are covered by anti-insider trading rules and that we can also provide for fuller disclosure by Members, making it accessible to the public online. Instead of coming to a point where the system broke down again and Senator Reid being forced to file a cloture motion, we worked out an agreement here, people were reasonable, and there will be votes on a number of germane amendments--and some that are not, but we have agreed to a 60-vote threshold. This is the way I think the Senate is supposed to work. Some of these votes will be controversial, some difficult. But that is why we are here. I thank everybody who was part of getting to this point. I note the presence of the Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. Brown, and I yield to him.
