Angie Craig: “I think the leader has certainly appropriately explained where we are with the Craig-Domenici amendment and our efforts.…”

“I think the leader has certainly appropriately explained where we are with the Craig-Domenici amendment and our efforts. We have met consistently over the last several days with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to see if we could strike a bipartisan agreement. At this time we are working with Senator Feinstein and Senator Wyden to see if we can come together so they can come to your caucus to determine whether we can pick up support in a bipartisan way. We would like to have the remainder of the day to work. At the same time, I recognize the frustration holding up the Interior appropriations bill for this purpose. I think both the Senator and I recognize the critical character of what we are trying to do here--or the nature of it--in resolving this issue. If you can give us a little more flexibility, I think at some point--probably by the end of the day--we will know whether we can or cannot go any further.”