Cord Byrd: “I think this is a travesty upon the legislative process. This is a far-reaching measure. There are important amendments…”

“I think this is a travesty upon the legislative process. This is a far-reaching measure. There are important amendments that will be called up and voted down--summarily voted down--by many Members; at least, many Members will summarily vote against any amendment. Some have already announced their intention to vote against any amendment. So a rhetorical question, I think, would be in order. Why have any debate? Why call up amendments? Why go through this charade? I have called up an amendment. We all know it is going to be rejected because some Senators are going to vote against any amendments, no matter what the amendment provides. They can be good amendments, they can be better amendments, they can be the best amendments. They are all going to be rejected. What kind of legislative process is that? I have been in this Congress 48 years. I have been in the Senate 42 years. I have never seen anything like this. Members are very forthright in saying--they don't make any bones about it--that they have agreed they will not support any amendment.”