Chuck Grassley: “we have seen a whirlwind of activity on this so-called economic stimulus package. We began by watching the partisanship…”

“we have seen a whirlwind of activity on this so-called economic stimulus package. We began by watching the partisanship in the House prevail, where the House passed a package strictly along party lines. No House Republican voted for it. And 11 Democrats joined the Republicans in voting no. Then we had a mark-up in the Senate Finance Committee, the committee that I am ranking member on. Over 200 amendments were filed. Some amendments were agreed to, like the amendment I filed for a 1-year alternative minimum tax ``AMT'' patch. But many others, specifically Republican amendments, failed or were never brought to a vote. Unfortunately, there was a tacit agreement among the Democratic members of my committee to vote no on any Republican amendment, regardless of the merits. Those on my side of the aisle did not find that very bipartisan. Then a floor debate in the Senate ensued. It lasted a full week. I am happy that the debate gave many Members on my side of the aisle an opportunity to discuss how this legislation could be improved. I was dismayed, however, on the process. For example, there were a number of amendments that I filed that were never given a fair vote. Bottom line, they were blocked. I was not the only Republican Senator that got locked out of the process. And speaking of process, let me briefly discuss how this conference committee process worked. Or shall I say did not work. It was not a conference that permitted bipartisan negotiations.”