Cord Byrd: “I honor and respect my friend. He is doing what he ought to do. He is fulfilling his responsibility. He is seeking to…”

“I honor and respect my friend. He is doing what he ought to do. He is fulfilling his responsibility. He is seeking to get a vote on the amendment. I respect him and admire him for that. But, Mr. President, as I said earlier today, we want to see the committee report issued by the Budget Committee and have an opportunity to study it a little bit. We are not ready to vote. This Senator is not ready to vote. I assure my friend that, in the final analysis, I may vote for this bill. I say that sincerely. I may not. I do not know. I have thought there are some good reasons for legislation of some kind that will deal with at least some unfunded mandates. But I want to know what is in this legislation. I think my colleagues are entitled to that knowledge. Our staffs need to see the committee report. I will not be in a position to allow a vote on any amendment tonight, at any hour tonight, or tomorrow, at least until that report is available and we have some opportunity to digest it. Mr. President, I say this not in any dogmatic way, I hope. I do not intend to appear to be laying down the gauntlet and say 'This shall not pass,' but I am prepared to say that we will not vote on amendments until we get that report and have an opportunity to study it. That is a reasonable position. I hope I am perceived as a reasonable man. That is only fair--to not only be seen as a reasonable man but to be a reasonable man. I know I stand on solid ground.”