Cord Byrd: “That appears to be the case. And it boggles my mind to think that while we have a perfectly logical, commonsense…”

“That appears to be the case. And it boggles my mind to think that while we have a perfectly logical, commonsense approach here of providing to the President the means whereby he can deal earlier, quicker, more effectively with possible terrorist attacks--we have it in a package here; it is designated ``emergency;'' he can use it, he can not use it--we are being asked to vote against this package. I cannot believe the President is receiving good advice. I have to believe he must be receiving some partisanly political advice from somewhere down the line. It does not make sense. Why would the President be opposed to our providing this now? We do not lose anything by it. We have everything to gain by providing this now. It is our responsibility, it is our duty, to provide for the common defense. And if this isn't common defense, I do not know what it is, if it does not fall within the category set forth in the preamble that we should provide for the general welfare. This, it seems to me, we have to do.”