Cord Byrd: “I have been in this Senate now going on 42 years. I know what is going on. We have time. We could come back next week…”

“I have been in this Senate now going on 42 years. I know what is going on. We have time. We could come back next week and vote on these amendments. The Senators who have offered the amendments are entitled to a vote on each amendment. They are entitled to have some debate. Those of us who do not know what are in the amendments are entitled to know what they are about, and we are also entitled to a vote on the amendments if we so desire. I have already objected. We can stay here this evening. We can come back tomorrow. We can come back Monday and finish voting on the amendments. We do not have to legislate in this fashion. I am just not going to be a part of it. I may earn the enmity of every Senator in this body, but I am keeping a good relationship with my own conscience on this. We are seeing the legislative process go downhill in this Senate. More and more, this Senate is becoming like the other body. I am not for that. And if I have to stand alone, I will stand alone. I have no problems with that. I object.”