Bob Dole: “let me first of all congratulate the managers. This is a major piece of legislation that is always very difficult to…”

“let me first of all congratulate the managers. This is a major piece of legislation that is always very difficult to bring to a conclusion. But it has been done because of the leadership of the distinguished Senator from South Carolina, Senator Thurmond, and the cooperation of the distinguished Senator from Georgia, Senator Nunn. They have worked together to bring it together, as have other Senators, particularly Senators Warner and Cohen on this side, who have just resolved a very important issue by a vote of 85 to 13. In my view, that compromise should have been passed by that lopsided margin. There is still a conference. They can still make other changes. But I congratulate all the members of the committee and members of their staffs for what I think is an excellent bill. We just heard the Senator from Georgia address some of the concerns that were resolved. The Senator from South Carolina addressed some of the concerns earlier. Now it goes to conference. I think, again, it indicates we are making progress in the Senate. Plus the appropriations bill will be ready for passage as soon as the House acts on it. So as far as the defense area is concerned, I think we are in good shape on the Senate side.”