Bob Dole: “tonight we take the first step toward bringing this important debate to a close. Despite all the horror stories, despite…”

“tonight we take the first step toward bringing this important debate to a close. Despite all the horror stories, despite all the distortions, despite the desperate attempts to shift the focus of this debate, I want to make very clear that I intend to fulfill the mandate given to us by the American people--and bring some common sense to the regulatory process and get the Government off our backs. On one side of this debate stand the defenders of the status quo. Regulatory reform is a direct threat to their smug assumption that Washington knows best and that it cannot do any better. The defenders of the status quo can only win by delay and distortion. On the other side of this debate stand those Senators--and I must point out that we have Republicans and Democrats--who understand that we have to provide relief to American families and small businesses who bear the burden of overregulation. We understand we can do so in ways that protect health and safety. Though I do not really expect to close off debate tonight, it is important to understand that we intend to win, and that it is our obligation to pass meaningful regulatory relief, not just some watered down version that accomplishes nothing. Therefore, if cloture is not invoked tonight, we will vote again on cloture tomorrow. And if we do not succeed at that time, we will vote again to close debate on Wednesday. The issues at stake are too important.”