Bob Dole: “with respect to the rescissions package, I regret we were unable to pass that, were unable to complete action on the…”

“with respect to the rescissions package, I regret we were unable to pass that, were unable to complete action on the rescissions package because it was something that had broad support on both sides of the aisle, support by the President. The President very much wanted to have it done before this Fourth of July recess. As I indicated earlier, the Senator from Minnesota, Senator Wellstone, and the Senator from Illinois, Senator Carol Moseley-Braun, were within their rights to block action on the bill. But I must say, as I listened to their statements in which they wished they could have offered their amendments, they had about 3 hours to offer amendments and used all that time and just had a discussion of the amendments and what was wrong with the bill. And I am not certain when the rescissions package will be back for a vote. Unless there is an agreement on that side of the aisle I will not bring it back up on the Senate floor. As soon as the President can persuade my Democratic colleagues that this bill is necessary, it is important, and it ought to be passed, and I do not see any reason to take any further time of other Senators because we have a lot of important legislation. But keep in mind, again this bill which was blocked contains money for the Oklahoma City disaster, it contains money for California earthquakes, it contains money for 39, I think 39, States which suffered disasters, including the States of Illinois, and maybe Minnesota.”