Paul Coverdell: “Mr. President, I want to explain to our colleagues. First, I thank the ranking member, the Senator from Vermont, Senator…”

“Mr. President, I want to explain to our colleagues. First, I thank the ranking member, the Senator from Vermont, Senator Leahy. It has been a long week for both of us. He and his staff and colleagues have worked diligently with this Senator and his staff and colleagues throughout the morning to arrive at the amendment that has just been forwarded to the desk under unanimous consent. This substitute adds a finding to clarify the Federal role in civil liability matters related to voluntarism. The substitute clarifies the State opt-out section, to ensure the provision does not supersede State requirements for enacting legislation and allows for States to include an effective date. The substitute clarifies the punitive damage protections only relate to cases that are based on the actions of the volunteer and do not supersede more restrictive Federal or State laws.”