Cord Byrd: “I am mainly interested in having a little debate on this bill, and mainly interested in getting some answers from the…”

“I am mainly interested in having a little debate on this bill, and mainly interested in getting some answers from the proponents as to the costs that are involved. I may support this bill. I have no reason to think I won't support it, if we can arrive at some conclusion as to how much the restrictions and requirements are going to cost. We may pass a bill here that is, on the surface at least, a good bill. Certainly, there is a compelling need to do the things that this bill seeks to do. But as an appropriator, as the chairman of the Appropriations Committee--and not only that, I should think that all Senators would be interested in knowing how much this is going to cost and what assurances we have that we will have the money with which to pay it. Also, I want to know whether the deadlines--and there are several deadlines in the bill--can be met. If we pass legislation that cannot be enforced because it has deadlines that are not enforceable, then the American people are going to be disappointed--if we pass legislation raising their expectations and then those expectations are not met.”