Cord Byrd: “some days ago, the two distinguished Senators, Mr. Chafee and Mr. Domenici, offered an amendment which they proposed to…”

“some days ago, the two distinguished Senators, Mr. Chafee and Mr. Domenici, offered an amendment which they proposed to call up at some point during the debate on the highway bill. There has been no floor discussion of that amendment. I have seen and read various things that are being written about the amendment and in criticism of the amendment which Senators Gramm, Baucus, Warner and I have offered for printing. My colleagues and I had offered an amendment several days ago and indicated we were offering it for printing, and that we intended to call it up at such time as the amendment tree was dismantled, and we would have an opportunity to call up the amendment. There have been some discussions of our amendment, but I think it is appropriate to talk about the amendment now that has been offered, I assume, as an alternative to our amendment. I don't know what the prognosis of this bill is--whether it will be taken down and no action taken on extending the highway bill, or whether there will be a 6-month extension, or whether there will be a 6-year bill. I should think that the chances for the latter are diminishing with every passing minute. In any event, it seems to me that there ought to be some discussion about the Chafee-Domenici amendment.”