Haley Stevens: “beyond that, we have a series of problems I would like to mention in closing. Then I will be back. That is the question…”

“beyond that, we have a series of problems I would like to mention in closing. Then I will be back. That is the question of the point of order. In 1996, we overturned a point of order on the aviation bill. It was a question of the FAA conference report, conference on the FAA. Senator Hollings, my great friend, Fritz Hollings, offered an amendment to that bill. The Chair ruled that Senator Hollings' amendment exceeded the scope of the conference. The Senate voted 56 to 39 to overturn the ruling of the Chair. I was part of that debate and in support of Senator Hollings. There are still in the Senate a series of people who voted to overturn that Chair. Senator Chafee's father, the former Senator Chafee did, Senator Conrad did, Senator DeWine did, Senator Domenici did, Senator Feinstein did. We have a whole series of people. My great friend, brother, Senator Inouye did, Senator Jeffords did. We have a series of Members who did. Senator McConnell did. Senator Pryor's father did. Senator Reid did. So did several other Members here today. I am making the point it is not something new to ask the ruling of the Chair be disagreed with. We seek to settle the disagreement over whether the amendments are within the scope--they technically are beyond the scope--but should the scope be adhered to in the circumstances today? Should they be adhered to for avian flu? Is there any Senator who wants to protest against that? Should they be adhered to on Katrina?…”