On the recordDecember 19, 2012
I will take 1 minute of it. I thank the Senator from Maryland for that important distinction. I want to say to the Senator from Oklahoma--and the other Senator from Oklahoma--that I think all of us have enormous respect for him and for his intelligence and the way in which he seeks to protect taxpayers and cut pork and get rid of earmarks. We all respect that. There are legitimate moments when it is appropriate to do that. I think the Senator may have either not known or not been aware of all the details that have been laid out here, and I would plead with him to take a look at the legitimacy of the law, the way in which this has been set up, and hopefully withdraw his amendment. Also, to all of our colleagues, I know we are struggling with the fiscal cliff and it is the holiday time. There are a lot of people hurting in America. In the wake of what happened in Newtown, CT--a moment that sort of stops our country cold--where we all have to stop and think about what is and is not important and what our responsibilities are, it is hard for me to grapple onto the notion that in a moment there could be a change in attitude where people could begin to perhaps find a constructive way to work together. There are so many people in so many places who are living by the law. They are dependent on this profession and want to stand up and return to it because it is part of their lifetime and will not get help on a Federal basis the way we have helped people throughout our history.…
