Cord Byrd: “So I come to the conjunction ``but''--paragraph 1, section 7, article I, of the U.S. Constitution. Here is what it says…”

“So I come to the conjunction ``but''--paragraph 1, section 7, article I, of the U.S. Constitution. Here is what it says: but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills. Now, we all know that when fast track is brought to the Senate, Senators may not propose amendments. In my way of reading the Constitution, that is not in accordance with what the Constitution says. What did the Framers mean? It is obvious that they meant the Senate could amend on any bill. Let me read the whole section again, the whole paragraph, section 7: All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but---- B-U-T---- the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills. It doesn't say it ``shall.'' The Senate may not want to offer any amendments, but it ``may.'' But now we come along with this so-called trade promotion authority. Ha, what a misnomer that is. And that is plain old fast track. And a lot of Senators and House Members are going to go to their oblivion on fast track if the people back home ever wake up to what is going on. . . . but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills. It doesn't say ``on some other Bills'' or ``on certain other Bills.'' It says ``as on other Bills.'' It seems to me the Senate has a right to amend.”