Cord Byrd: “I have added my name as a cosponsor of the amendment because I was troubled by the substance of these last-minute…”

“I have added my name as a cosponsor of the amendment because I was troubled by the substance of these last-minute provisions. I was pleased that Senator Daschle and Senator Lieberman were taking action to strike the new language from the bill. I support the amendment and I hope that other Senators will support it, as well. I have cosponsored the amendment because I believe the Senate has a duty to take the time to improve legislation when it needs improving, as it does, obviously. This bill certainly needs improving. I had hoped that more Senators would be able to offer their amendments to this bill. I have heard several of my colleagues expressing concerns about what is in the bill, as well as what is not in the bill. I have concerns of my own, many of which I have expressed in recent days. I also have amendments that could be offered to address these problems, just as other Senators have amendments that they had hoped to offer.”