Cord Byrd: “Now, before the Senator leaves the floor, why do we want to use this cloture--why do we want to use this sledgehammer to…”

“Now, before the Senator leaves the floor, why do we want to use this cloture--why do we want to use this sledgehammer to eliminate the potential filibuster on a motion to proceed? That is where the problem has arisen. Our friends--now in the majority, then in the minority--objected to the taking up of measures. Consequently the majority leader put in a cloture motion; 2 days later the vote occurred. Now if, as the Senator from Iowa has stated, it is true that most of the so-called filibusters, I say so-called because--I will explain that further in a moment--so-called filibusters have occurred on motions to proceed, and the Senator from Iowa says that is the case, if that is true, then we do not need this. We do not need this. We do not need to kill the opportunity for unlimited debate in order to get at that. Have the Senators read rule VIII, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate? Here is what it says. ``All motions made during the first two hours of a new legislative day to proceed to the consideration of any matter''--any matter except a motion to change the rules, any matter--``shall be determined without debate.''”