Tom Harkin: “if my friend will yield further, again, in my resolution there is a guarantee that the minority has the right to offer…”

“if my friend will yield further, again, in my resolution there is a guarantee that the minority has the right to offer amendments--absolute guarantee. As I said, that is something I have urged since 1995. I am very sympathetic to the argument that people are cut out from offering amendments. I know because that has happened to me by the majority at times. So I believe there ought to be rights for the minority. I always hasten to add when I say 'minority' I am not saying Republicans, I am saying the minority. It may be us pretty soon. It goes back and forth, as my friends knows. There ought to be the right for the minority to offer amendments and to have their voice heard and to, as the Senator says, represent the people of our States adequately. But I ask my friend again, what happens when we have one or two or three or four Senators who don't want to see a bill passed in any form--some bill, just take any bill--that maybe has been worked on by both Republicans and Democrats, has broad bipartisan support maybe to the tune of even 70 or so Senators, but there is one or two or three Senators who don't want it to pass anyway, and they are able to gridlock the place under rule XXII.”