Patrick Moynihan: “With a measure of trepidation I hear the former Secretary of the Navy refer to me as a distinguished colleague, I…”

I say to our chairman, as evidenced by the fact that this measure was reported 19-1 in the Finance Committee. I thank the Chair. We are at a moment of history and the omens are excellent.

May I simply thank my revered friend. We have been together, even across the aisle, for a near quarter century. There is no one whose regard I greater value and whose remarks I could not be more moved by.

I rise for the pleasant purpose of noting the decision by the Committee on Rules to add two names to that very special group that is portrayed in our reception room--six of the most distinguished Senators in our history. We have now added…

This vote is one of an historic handful of congressional votes since the end of World War II. Nothing that Members of Congress do this year or any other year could be more important. He was not simply speaking of trade and the standard of…