Cord Byrd: “I voted against the Daschle motion because I believe that, after having debated tobacco legislation for nearly four…”

“I voted against the Daschle motion because I believe that, after having debated tobacco legislation for nearly four weeks, the time has come for the Senate to move forward on the pending appropriations bills. Although I appreciate the Minority Leader's heartfelt desire to see a tobacco bill enacted during this Congress, I also appreciate the fact that that goal is not likely to be met in the few remaining days before adjournment. Thus, prolonging this issue is not, in my opinion, in the Senate's best interest. Mr. President, while I could not support the Minority Leader's motion to waive the Budget Act in this particular case, I will not, of course, rule out supporting such a motion in the future.”