Cord Byrd: “I thank my friend. We are not being confrontational. I have no hesitance whatsoever to be confrontational with the…”

“I thank my friend. We are not being confrontational. I have no hesitance whatsoever to be confrontational with the President of the United States or anybody else. Let the President advocate fast track; I am ready for that confrontation, and so is the distinguished Senator from North Dakota. We are not being confrontational. We are trying to live up to our responsibility. We want to work with the President. We want to help the President. I want to help him to keep his commitment when he said on September 20, in that joint session of Congress, ``Our Nation has been put on notice we are not immune from attack. We will''--not maybe--``We will take defensive measures against terrorism to protect America.'' Now, Mr. President, this is what we are trying to do. We are trying to help our national leader keep his commitment, and yet there is a veto threatened--a veto--a veto. I cannot believe the President has reached this decision in his own mind--a man who, when he took the oath of office, referred to the Scriptures, referred to the good Samaritan on the road to Jericho. It gave me a new sense of confidence and trust in our President. President Eisenhower, when he was inaugurated, prayed. He didn't call on somebody else to pray; he prayed. Eisenhower himself prayed a prayer. I was impressed and thankful. So this President has the support of the American people in the war effort. There is no question about that. The people have rallied.…”