Cord Byrd: “Senate rules do not require that amendments be germane except under rule XVI dealing with appropriations bills. We are…”

“Senate rules do not require that amendments be germane except under rule XVI dealing with appropriations bills. We are hearing all this hue and cry the last day or so that some of the amendments are not germane. I hope Senators will continue to offer amendments that they feel will improve the bill, remembering that amendments that were not germane have been offered many times by those now in the majority when they were in the minority. There is no Senate rule against nongermane amendments, except under cloture, under rule XVI, and when barred by unanimous consent. Mr. President, I have no doubt we will see a solid party-line vote on my right. Our Republican friends are going to vote solidly. If minority rights mean anything in this body, I hope that the minority will stand up for its rights. We are in the minority and the American people--talk about what the American people want--the American people want to know what is in this bill. They also want their Senators to know what is in the bill. They want their Senators to take the time to understand it. We are not up against a fiscal year deadline or an adjournment sine die or a deadline that the debt limit has to be raised. This is not an emergency bill. It does not provide moneys for earthquakes or other disasters. This is a bill that is up here on the 19th of January and we have all this rush to go to immediate judgment. What is in the bill that the majority is afraid of? Why not put it under the microscope?”