Chuck Grassley: “I am glad the Senator from Vermont pointed out the many compromises that were made to accommodate the President and to…”

“I am glad the Senator from Vermont pointed out the many compromises that were made to accommodate the President and to accommodate Democrats in the Senate. He did not say this, but there were also a lot of changes made to accommodate Republicans. But he pointed out that we have two issues on which we disagree. That is what the Senator from Vermont said. I do not think that Senators should vote against this bill over two issues which are not central to the concept of bankruptcy reform. I was disappointed, however, in his comments on the process. He referred to a very unusual process. I confess that it was a very unusual process by which this bill was conferenced and got to the Senate floor. But I think I heard him say something about Democrats not being consulted. There was a 3-3 ratio on this conference. Normally there would not be a 3-3 ratio; there would probably be one more Republican than Democrat. But because of Senator Coverdell's death, it ended up on this conference there were three Republicans and three Democrats. So the point is, we would not be here today if it were not for help from Democrats, even in conference. I only say that because the Senator from Vermont is a friend of mine. He is very strongly opposed to this legislation. But I thought I ought to point out the fact that there are those small, insignificant modifications of his comments that I thought I ought to make. Whether he would consider those clarifications or not, that is his judgment.…”