Cord Byrd: “I am pleased and I am proud to join with the distinguished chairman of the Appropriations Committee, my friend, a friend…”

“I am pleased and I am proud to join with the distinguished chairman of the Appropriations Committee, my friend, a friend in every sense of the word, Ted Stevens, in offering legislation to put back on the President's desk those projects which were line-item vetoed, at least those projects that Senators want to put back before the President for his consideration, and if he wants to veto that bill, he can do so, and then Congress can override or sustain his veto. Mr. President, I think that one of the most significant things that has happened in the history of this country was the passage of the Line-Item Veto Act. To me, it was one of the most shocking abdications of duty that Members of the Congress have committed. I am not here today to say 'I told you so,' but I am here today to say that this pernicious act should be repealed. I hope that the Supreme Court of the United States will strike it down, but there has to be a case brought.”