Joe Lieberman: “Let me say, before I respond directly, what a pleasure it has been to work with the Senator from Massachusetts on this…”

“Let me say, before I respond directly, what a pleasure it has been to work with the Senator from Massachusetts on this bill. There is not a better lawmaker/legislator in the literal meaning of that word in this Chamber than the Senator from Massachusetts. I have seen his talents, his persistence, his knowledge, and his great skill as an advocate at work. I have actually enjoyed the experience. I thank him for his leadership. He has been responsible for successive advances in the quality of life in our country, particularly for our children. If we can bring this one to a conclusion, it will be yet another extraordinary accomplishment that he has led, working not just with members of this party but across the aisle and, in fact, with the White House. The numbers the Senator from Massachusetts cites are troubling to me. They are particularly troubling today, as the two of us have said, because we have essentially reached agreement on the core issues relating to this bill.”