Cord Byrd: “I have been saying to my Senate colleagues that we had better take some time and look at what we are doing. What was…”

“I have been saying to my Senate colleagues that we had better take some time and look at what we are doing. What was about to happen, in my judgment, would have borne out my concerns and my warnings. An amendment has been offered by the distinguished manager of the bill. He certainly has far more expertise with respect to this bill than I have. He has spent days, nights, and weeks, I would say, on it. So in taking the floor at this time, as far as I am concerned, it is a labor of love. I am not on the committee, but this is a good example. Senators--at least one Senator--did not know what we were doing. An amendment was called up, I understand, 15 minutes ago. I do not think I have inaccurately stated what Senator Thompson had indicated with reference to when this amendment was called up. We will say within the last half hour. I suppose that is accurate. The amendment comes from my side of the aisle. Normally, I might not pay quite that much attention to it, but I have spent a lot of time on the House bill and on the Lieberman substitute, and I have been very concerned that Senators really are not paying attention.”