Steny Hoyer: “Hope springs eternal. Let's hope the bill is not eternally, however, in the conference committee. Mr. Leader, if I could…”

“Hope springs eternal. Let's hope the bill is not eternally, however, in the conference committee. Mr. Leader, if I could comment as well, you and I had a discussion and I had a discussion with your predecessor on this issue as well and with Mr. Blunt, when he was acting in the capacity you now have, with reference to the bipartisan inclusion of conferees in the decision- making process as to what the pension bill is going to be. In our experience in dealing with you when you were chairman of the committee, you did that. We appreciated that. We think it was the right thing to do. And, frankly, we think it manifested itself in some good products. But, Mr. Leader, I must tell you that the minority members and the ranking member have not been included, in the information I have, in the conferences or deliberations that have been going on with reference to the pension bill. In light of the fact, as you point out, it is a complicated bill, a difficult bill, we think that would be useful certainly for us; but very frankly, we think it would be appropriate for the process itself. I yield to my friend in hopes that he will, as he indicated he would, try to prevail on those powers that be to effect that happening, as he indicated he thought ought to happen. I yield to my friend.”