Bob Dole: “let me also commend and congratulate the Senator from Utah, Senator Hatch, because we were in some very tense…”

“let me also commend and congratulate the Senator from Utah, Senator Hatch, because we were in some very tense discussions yesterday. And we have tense discussions around here from time to time. It was over how do we do the right thing and still save enough money and change the system. I think we ended up right on track in all three areas. Much of it was due to the efforts of Senator Hatch working with Senators on the other side and working with a number on this side of the aisle and working with the majority leader. I, in turn, went to the Democratic leader, and we were able to come together after a little misunderstanding late in the afternoon about whether it was $2 or $3 billion. In any event, we have now accomplished that, and I think we will have a little debate on Tuesday before the vote. I hope that the two leaders will have 5 minutes each so we can make a closing statement on the bill. I would expect broad bipartisan support. We have had 95 hours, I think, on this bill, and 38 votes, tough votes. There were a lot of votes today. In fact, there were 10 today. I think we have had a good debate. Everybody has had an opportunity to express their views. I believe when a final vote is taken, there will be a strong bipartisan support for changing welfare as we know it, giving power back to the States. I think that is a big step in the right direction. There are a number of amendments that have been cleared, and I will offer those at this time.…”