Haley Stevens: “I voted ``present'' because, as a partner of my good friend from West Virginia in Appropriations, we do not have time…”

“I voted ``present'' because, as a partner of my good friend from West Virginia in Appropriations, we do not have time for any further delay. The Agriculture bill would be acceptable, as far as I am concerned. I have not checked with our leader, but I do think the Senate should move forward on another bill as soon as possible. We are very constrained because of the loss of our physical facilities in Dirksen. There are some bills that could move forward in the interim. I have said before that in my judgment we have to get these bills to the President by November 6 if we are going to be able to leave by November 16 for Thanksgiving because the President must have his 10 days to review the bill. Hopefully, there will not be any vetoes, but it is possible. I join the Senator from West Virginia in urging the joint leadership to find a way to allow us to take up another bill. I do believe the Agriculture bill is ready, and it is possible we could move on it very rapidly. I am hopeful we will find a spirit of comity and find a way to limit amendments on these bills and let us catch up. The problem with the conferences is the House facilities are still tied up by the investigations concerning anthrax, but I hope we can find some way to handle that, too.”