Joe Lieberman: “I am delighted that we have reached a meeting of the minds on the information-sharing part of the bill, which preserves…”

“I am delighted that we have reached a meeting of the minds on the information-sharing part of the bill, which preserves intact the considerable reforms that are called for which will protect our national security, as advanced by Senator Durbin, but also quite appropriately embrace the concerns that Senator Stevens and the administration had as to who would be in charge of this transformation. Second, I grew up in a family where if you were not passionate and didn't raise your voice about things that mattered to you, it was thought that something was wrong. I also want to make clear that when you raised your voice the other day, I did not think you were only shouting at the Senator from Maine, I thought that I was also included as a recipient. Look, it reminds me of the old Teddy Roosevelt line about being in the arena, not standing on the side reading a newspaper but getting into the arena and fighting with all your heart for what you believe in. I admire the Senator greatly for doing that. I would much rather have him on my side rather than against me, and that is why I am particularly thrilled to hear the announcement of the Senator from Alaska that he will support this measure as amended. I thank him and I yield the floor.”