Dan Coats: “I would like this Chamber to know that today marks the 88th birthday of one of the great Members of this Senate body, a…”

“I would like this Chamber to know that today marks the 88th birthday of one of the great Members of this Senate body, a true American hero, former majority leader Bob Dole. As I reflected on the extraordinary life he has led--I had the privilege of serving under him as a Senator and working with him in the private sector, getting to know him and his wife--I could not help but note that the leadership he provided in comparison to the lack of leadership that is being provided in this body now stands in great contrast. There is an absence of leadership and seriousness of purpose that Bob Dole would never have allowed had he been majority leader. I say that because I come to the floor today greatly troubled by the remarks that were made here in this Senate yesterday and again this morning by the majority leader regarding the bill that is before us. The issue here takes two tracks, one of which is the content of the amendment and the bill that is before us that was voted on by the House of Representatives, passed by the House of Representatives, and sent over for us to debate and pass.…”